Israeli ground forces reached their deepest point in Lebanon since the invasion six weeks ago, engaging in fierce battles with Hezbollah militants before pulling back early Saturday, as reported by Lebanese state media.
The state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli troops captured a strategic hill in the southern Lebanese village of Chamaa, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Israeli border. Israeli troops were later pushed back from the hill after fierce clashes.
Lebanese state media claimed that Israeli troops detonated the Shrine of Shimon the Prophet in Chamaa and several homes before withdrawing, although this could not be immediately verified.
Israel's military stated that its troops were conducting limited, localized, and targeted operational activities in southern Lebanon but did not comment on the Lebanese media reports.
Simultaneously, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in southern Lebanon, including Tyre.
The morning strike in Beirut targeted an area known as Dahiyeh, described by the Israeli military as a Hezbollah stronghold. Residents were given advance warning, and casualties were not immediately confirmed.
Lebanese and Hezbollah officials are reviewing a draft proposal presented by the U.S. this week to end the conflict. The proposal is based on U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Lebanon's caretaker prime minister reportedly urged Iran to persuade Hezbollah to agree to a cease-fire deal with Israel, requiring the group to withdraw from the Israel-Lebanon border.
Efforts are also underway to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after Palestinian militants attacked Israel, resulting in numerous casualties.
The U.N. Security Council is considering a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.
In Gaza, the Health Ministry reported that 35 people were killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 43,799, with a significant number of casualties being women and children.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
