PREVIEW

Israel and Hezbollah Edge Closer to Cease-Fire Amid Ongoing Strikes. Biden administration officials revealed Monday that a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia is nearing, though unresolved issues remain, NBC News reports. A White House official cautioned that the deal could "still take a couple of days," with John Kirby confirming discussions are "productive" but "not done right now.” Israeli airstrikes over the weekend targeted Beirut, killing at least 20 people, while Hezbollah fired over 200 rockets into Israel, setting neighborhoods ablaze. The conflict intensified after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, joined the war, linking its actions to Gaza. The potential agreement would apply only to Lebanon, offering no relief for Gaza or the hostages taken by Hamas. Relatives of hostages taken on October 7 urged negotiators to include their release in any cease-fire agreement, emphasizing the linked nature of the conflicts. Israeli ground and air assaults have killed over 3,000 people and displaced more than 1 million in Lebanon, with attacks also targeting parts of Syria. Recent Israeli airstrikes killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Syria, further escalating regional tensions. A month after Israel attacked Iranian soil, fears of Iranian retaliation have simmered, though Iran's military downplayed the incident as "limited damage.” Danny Danon, Israel's UN ambassador, said talks were advancing but not finalized, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise devastating conflict.
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