Israel steps up strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks continue as talks loom

Israeli air strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks intensified over the weekend in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, as both sides signalled the war would continue despite diplomatic efforts. Lebanon's health ministry said that since fighting renewed on 2 March after a Hezbollah attack on Israel, Israeli attacks have killed 2,055 people, including 167 since Friday. Twelve Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah over the same period, Israeli authorities say. Fighting has continued despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran, which Israel says does not apply to its campaign in Lebanon. Lebanese, Israeli and US officials are due to hold talks in Washington on Tuesday. The Lebanese president's office told the BBC that the discussions would focus on conditions for a ceasefire, and that formal negotiations could follow if an agreement was reached. Hezbollah, however, has rejected the initiative and has held protests in central Beirut, where supporters waved Hezbollah flags and pictures of the group's late leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in 2024. Israel's embassy in Washington has said it has refused to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah and t