Israel has continued its fierce attacks across Lebanon, including near the capital Beirut, killing nine people and wounding others, even as US-mediated talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials progress in Washington. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit at least 10 vehicles, directly targeting an ambulance in one case and striking just kilometers south of Beirut in another.

Among the victims were two medics in the municipality of Chehour and six people near the coastal city of Tyre, the Health Ministry reported. The Lebanese army said a soldier was killed while traveling on a road in the south.

The attack in the Khaldeh area on the southern outskirts of Beirut injured two people, according to Lebanese security sources cited by Reuters.

“What we’ve been seeing over the past hours has been an escalation,” said Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem from Beirut. “This is taking us back to square one.”

The strikes come as Israeli and Lebanese negotiators meet in Washington for a fourth round of direct talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was hopeful for a joint statement and action plan “on the track for security” in Lebanon.

Lebanon has insisted on a full ceasefire, but Israel’s government has refused. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel must “disarm Hezbollah” and “demilitarize Lebanon.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any future Israeli attack on Beirut would “have grave consequences and lead to a full resumption of war.”

Since March, 3,516 people have been killed and 10,674 wounded in Lebanon. Israeli forces have pushed north of the Litani River, displacing over one million people.

Source: www.aljazeera.com