One killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon amid US pressure for direct negotiations

As Israel escalated airstrikes across Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Thursday, the Lebanese army reaffirmed its commitment to indirect ceasefire talks, while Washington increased pressure on Beirut to move toward direct negotiations with Israel.

Israeli aircraft carried out multiple raids on the Bekaa Valley region in northeast Lebanon, targeting the Chmestar district, Hrebta, Tamnine, Boudai, as well as the Nabi Chit mountain range and the Hermel highlands according to local reports.

Several shops were also damaged in a market in Baalbek. 

A 16-year-old Syrian boy was killed and at least one other person was wounded, Lebanon’s health ministry said.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed that Israel was striking alleged "terrorist infrastructure" belonging to the Radwan unit of the armed group Hezbollah in the Baalbek area, saying that the strikes targeted fortifications and tunnels.

In recent days, Israel has intensified its attacks on northeastern Lebanon, where it killed 10 people last week.

Despite the ceasefire agreed in late November 2024, Israeli strikes and cross-border incidents continue to be reported almost daily in parts of Lebanon, including the south, where Israel continues to occupy at least five positions inside Lebanese territory.

Amid the Israeli attacks, the Lebanese army said on Thursday it had presented a detailed briefing on its operational and logistical needs during a preparatory meeting in Cairo earlier this week for an international conference to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces.

In a statement, the army said it outlined steps being taken to implement its plan to extend state authority across all Lebanese territory, as well as the challenges facing its troops.

Participants at the Cairo meeting praised the army’s role in maintaining stability and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening its logistical and operational capabilities. They stressed that Lebanon’s stability is central to wider regional stability.

Army Commander General Rudolphe Haykal thanked participating states for their support and commended Egypt’s role in backing Lebanon during what he described as a "sensitive phase".

Meanwhile, the US has stepped up efforts to reshape the framework of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel through the US-led ceasefire monitoring committee, known as the "mechanism".

The committee, which oversees the truce that came into effect on 27 November 2024, met on Wednesday in Naqoura after a roughly two-month suspension. Lebanon has continued to insist that negotiations remain indirect and confined to this framework, rejecting US demands for direct bilateral talks.

Lebanese officials say the mechanism has so far failed to curb Israeli violations, which have persisted even during its sessions, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire.

Lebanon has rejected direct negotiations with Israel, citing its near-daily deadly attacks, its occupation of Lebanese territory, a lack of diplomatic ties and widespread domestic opposition to normalisation.