An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh killed at least 13 State Security personnel , a source from the government agency said, as fierce cross-border fighting raged despite plans for ceasefire talks between the two countries.
The state-run National News Agency said “enemy warplanes launched a series of heavy strikes” on Nabatiyeh. One of the strikes hit the State Security office in the vicinity of the government complex.
An AFP photographer at the site saw extensive damage and a fire still burning hours later.
The attack comes as the Lebanese government prepares for negotiations with Israel next week to end a war that has killed nearly 1,900 people in Lebanon since it began in early March.
Lebanon’s presidency said that a meeting would be held with Israel in Washington next week to discuss a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war and the start of negotiations between the neighbours.
The presidency confirmed that a first telephone call was held between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington and the US ambassador to Lebanon, who was also in the American city.
“During the call, it was agreed to hold the first meeting next Tuesday at the State Department to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices,” the presidency statement said.
The government, which banned the military activities of Hezbollah at the start of the war, is moving toward the bilateral talks despite opposition from the group, which holds seats in the cabinet and parliament.
Naim Qassem, deputy head of Hezbollah, called on the Lebanese state to stop giving “free concessions” to Israel. He described Israel’s military campaign as a failure and vowed to continue fighting.
