Lebanon's health ministry said at least 60 people were killed on Monday in Israeli raids on several areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley, most of them in the Baalbek region.

The health ministry said the tolls covered 12 areas in the Bekaa Valley where militant group Hezbollah holds sway. At least two children were among the dead, it said.&nbsp;

At least 58 others were wounded, the health ministry added, noting that the toll was preliminary as rescue efforts were still underway.

Of the 60 killed, at least 16 deaths were recorded in Al-Alaq, west of Baalbek city, according to the health ministry.&nbsp;

Monday's deaths raise the overall toll to more than 1,700 killed in Lebanon since the Israel-Hezbollah war erupted late last month, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.&nbsp;

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The real number is likely to be higher due to gaps in the data.

Baalbek governor Bachir Khodr decried what he called the "most violent" raids on the area since the start of the conflict.

Baalbek is an impoverished region in the Bekaa Valley that borders Syria.

The heavy strikes there on Monday were not preceded by an evacuation warning.

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They came as Israel pounded south Lebanon, including the coastal city of Tyre, according to the official National News Agency.

The Israel-Hezbollah war erupted on September 23 after nearly a year of cross-border fire between the two rivals.

The war has displaced at least 1.3 million people, more than 800,000 inside Lebanon according to the UN's migration agency.

More than half a million people have crossed into Syria, according to Lebanese authorities, most of them Syrians.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 60 people were killed on Monday in Israeli raids on several areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley, most of them in the Baalbek region.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 60 people were killed on Monday in Israeli raids on several areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley, most of them in the Baalbek region. The health ministry said the tolls covered 12 areas in the Bekaa Valley where militant group Hezbollah holds sway. At least two children were among the dead, it said. At least 58 others were wounded, the health ministry added, noting that the toll was preliminary as rescue efforts were still underway. Of the 60 killed, at least 16 deaths were recorded in Al-Alaq, west of Baalbek city, according to the health ministry. Monday's deaths raise the overall toll to more than 1,700 killed in Lebanon since the Israel-Hezbollah war erupted late last month, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures. Also Read | West Asia crisis: Hezbollah names Naim Qassem as successor to late Hassan Nasrallah The real number is likely to be higher due to gaps in the data. Baalbek governor Bachir Khodr decried what he called the "most violent" raids on the area since the start of the conflict. Baalbek is an impoverished region in the Bekaa Valley that borders Syria. The heavy strikes there on Monday were not preceded by an evacuation warning. Also Read | 'I offer no apologies': ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte admits having 'death squad' in 'war on drugs' They came as Israel pounded south Lebanon, including the coastal city of Tyre, according to the official National News Agency. The Israel-Hezbollah war erupted on September 23 after nearly a year of cross-border fire between the two rivals. The war has displaced at least 1.3 million people, more than 800,000 inside Lebanon according to the UN's migration agency. More than half a million people have crossed into Syria, according to Lebanese authorities, most of them Syrians. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

At least 60 killed in Israeli strikes in east, Lebanon reports

Lebanon's health ministry said three emergency personnel were killed on Saturday and two others wounded in an Israeli attack on a civil defence team putting out fires in south Lebanon.

"Israeli enemy targeting of a Lebanese civil defence team that was putting out fires sparked by the recent Israeli strikes in the village of Froun led to the martyrdom of three emergency responders," the health ministry said in a statement.

Two others were wounded, one of them critically, the statement said, adding however that the toll was provisional.

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The health ministry "condemns this blatant Israeli attack that targeted a team from an official body of the Lebanese state", the statement said.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group has exchanged near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip.

The cross-border violence has killed at least 614 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including at least 138 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians.

On Saturday, Hezbollah announced a string of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border, including with Katyusha rockets, some in stated response to "Israeli enemy attacks" on south Lebanon.

Lebanon's National News Agency said Israel carried out air strikes and shelling on several areas of the country's south.

The Israeli military said it had identified "projectiles" crossing from Lebanon, intercepting some of them.

It said it struck "Hezbollah military infrastructure and a launcher" in the Qabrikha area of southern Lebanon, as well as striking the Aita al-Shaab and Kfarshuba areas.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Lebanon's health ministry said three emergency personnel were killed on Saturday and two others wounded in an Israeli attack on a civil defence team putting out fires in south Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry said three emergency personnel were killed on Saturday and two others wounded in an Israeli attack on a civil defence team putting out fires in south Lebanon. "Israeli enemy targeting of a Lebanese civil defence team that was putting out fires sparked by the recent Israeli strikes in the village of Froun led to the martyrdom of three emergency responders," the health ministry said in a statement. Two others were wounded, one of them critically, the statement said, adding however that the toll was provisional. Also read: Israel launches pre-emptive strike in Lebanon to prevent large-scale Hezbollah attack The health ministry "condemns this blatant Israeli attack that targeted a team from an official body of the Lebanese state", the statement said. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group has exchanged near daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip. The cross-border violence has killed at least 614 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including at least 138 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians. On Saturday, Hezbollah announced a string of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border, including with Katyusha rockets, some in stated response to "Israeli enemy attacks" on south Lebanon. Lebanon's National News Agency said Israel carried out air strikes and shelling on several areas of the country's south. The Israeli military said it had identified "projectiles" crossing from Lebanon, intercepting some of them. It said it struck "Hezbollah military infrastructure and a launcher" in the Qabrikha area of southern Lebanon, as well as striking the Aita al-Shaab and Kfarshuba areas. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Three emergency personnel killed in Israeli strikes, says Lebanon

Israeli officials said on Monday (July 29) that their country wants to hurt Hezbollah but not drag the Middle East into an all-out war, as Lebanon braced for retaliation after a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 people.

Israeli officials said on Monday (July 29) that their country wants to hurt Hezbollah but not drag the Middle East into an all-out war, as Lebanon braced for retaliation after a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 people. Israel blamed Hezbollah for the strike but the Iranian-backed Lebanese group denied any role. Speaking to the news agency Reuters, the officials said that Israel was preparing for the possibility of a few days of fighting following Saturday's strike. The officials gave no further details about the plans for retaliation. Also read | Golan Heights attack: Lebanon's Beirut airport cancels flights amid fears of Israeli attack An Israeli diplomatic source, meanwhile, told the news agency, "The estimation is that the response will not lead to an all-out war. That would not be in our interest at this point." 'Our response will be harsh' The remarks of the Israeli officials came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country's response (to the Golan Heights attack) would be harsh. "The state of Israel will not and cannot let this pass," Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Monday. Earlier, the Israeli security cabinet authorised Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the manner and timing of a response to Saturday's strike. Both Israel and Hezbollah have appeared at pains to avoid a full-scale war since they began trading blows in October following the outbreak of the Gaza war. Saturday's strike has increased concerns that the months of cross-border hostilities could spiral into a broader, more destructive war. Reuters reported that an Israeli drone strike killed two Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon on Monday as well as three other people including an infant. These were the first fatalities in Lebanon since Saturday's incident. Also on Monday, the Israeli military downed a drone that crossed from Lebanon into the Western Galilee area. UN steps in to dial down tensions The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon said it had intensified contacts with Israeli and Lebanese authorities to dial down tensions. "Nobody wants to start a wider conflict, but a miscalculation could trigger one. There is still space for a diplomatic solution," the peacekeeping mission's spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said. US leading diplomatic dash to deter Israel from retaliating The United States (US) has been leading a diplomatic dash to deter Israel from striking Lebanon's capital Beirut or major civil infrastructure, Reuters reported on Tuesday citing sources. Also watch | Golan heights attack: Hezbollah denies Israeli allegations × The focus of the high-speed diplomacy has been to constrain Israel's response by urging it against targeting Beirut and key infrastructure like airports and bridges. While the US also blamed Hezbollah for the attack at Golan Heights, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, emphasised the importance of preventing the escalation of the conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Golan Heights attack: Israel says it 'wants to hurt Hezbollah but...'

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack which left three UN observers and a translator injured, on Saturday (Mar 30), when a shell exploded near them as they were patrolling the southern Lebanese border on foot.&nbsp;

<h2>Three UN observers, one translator injured</h2>

Unarmed technical observers of the UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL and&nbsp;United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO),&nbsp;had been stationed in southern Lebanon amid the clashes between the Israeli military and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah along the demarcation line between the two countries known as the Blue Line.

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Both sides have exchanged fire amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The UNIFIL, in a statement called the attack on peacekeepers “unacceptable” and said that the staff wounded had been evacuated for treatment.

“This morning, three OGL (UNTSO) military observers and one Lebanese language assistant on a foot patrol along the Blue Line were injured when an explosion occurred near their location,”&nbsp;Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said in a statement.

The origin of the explosion is being investigated, said Tenenti. The spokesperson further speaking to&nbsp;news agency AFP said that two observers were from Australia and Chile and that all four were in “stable” condition.&nbsp;

A Norwegian UN observer was “lightly injured” and had been taken to the hospital, Norway’s defence ministry spokesperson Hanne Olafsen told Norwegian news agency NTB. Olafsen added that the circumstances surrounding the attack were unclear.&nbsp;

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Reports by news agencies citing sources said that an Israeli drone strike targeted the observers in the village of Wadi Katmoun outside the border town of Rmeish.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Grave concern’</h2>

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN chief, said Guterres condemned the explosion and expressed “grave concern” over the exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.&nbsp;

“These hostile actions have not only disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of people, but they also pose a grave threat to the security and stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the region,” said Dujarric.&nbsp;

The safety of peacekeepers should be ensured, said the spokesperson.&nbsp;

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Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke to UNIFIL commander Aroldo Lozaro and condemned the “targeting” and wounding of UN staff, a release by the PM’s office stated.

<h2>Israel denies allegations</h2>

In response to the allegations the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took to social media to deny&nbsp;any involvement in the incident.

“Contrary to the reports, the IDF did not strike a @UNIFIL_ vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning,” said the Israeli military.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack which left three UN observers and a translator injured, on Saturday (Mar 30), when a shell exploded near them as they were patrolling the southern Lebanese border on foot.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack which left three UN observers and a translator injured, on Saturday (Mar 30), when a shell exploded near them as they were patrolling the southern Lebanese border on foot. Three UN observers, one translator injured Unarmed technical observers of the UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL and United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), had been stationed in southern Lebanon amid the clashes between the Israeli military and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah along the demarcation line between the two countries known as the Blue Line. WATCH | Anti-Netanyahu protests in Tel Aviv Both sides have exchanged fire amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The UNIFIL, in a statement called the attack on peacekeepers “unacceptable” and said that the staff wounded had been evacuated for treatment. “This morning, three OGL (UNTSO) military observers and one Lebanese language assistant on a foot patrol along the Blue Line were injured when an explosion occurred near their location,” Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said in a statement. The origin of the explosion is being investigated, said Tenenti. The spokesperson further speaking to news agency AFP said that two observers were from Australia and Chile and that all four were in “stable” condition. A Norwegian UN observer was “lightly injured” and had been taken to the hospital, Norway’s defence ministry spokesperson Hanne Olafsen told Norwegian news agency NTB. Olafsen added that the circumstances surrounding the attack were unclear. Also Read | Five killed in Gaza aid delivery chaos, several hit by moving trucks: Medics Reports by news agencies citing sources said that an Israeli drone strike targeted the observers in the village of Wadi Katmoun outside the border town of Rmeish. ‘Grave concern’ Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN chief, said Guterres condemned the explosion and expressed “grave concern” over the exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. “These hostile actions have not only disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of people, but they also pose a grave threat to the security and stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the region,” said Dujarric. The safety of peacekeepers should be ensured, said the spokesperson. Also Read | Eight Chinese migrants headed to the US found dead on Mexico beach after boat capsized Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke to UNIFIL commander Aroldo Lozaro and condemned the “targeting” and wounding of UN staff, a release by the PM’s office stated. Israel denies allegations In response to the allegations the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took to social media to deny any involvement in the incident. “Contrary to the reports, the IDF did not strike a @UNIFIL_ vehicle in the area of Rmeish this morning,” said the Israeli military. (With inputs from agencies)

United Nations chief condemns explosion that injured several UN observers in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Wednesday (Feb 14) that its fighter jets "began a series of strikes in Lebanon". Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source said on the same day that Israeli strikes in south Lebanon killed four civilians, including two children, and wounded several others.&nbsp;

As quoted by the Reuters news agency, the sources said that a woman and her two children were killed in the strike in the village of al-Sawana. Lebanon's powerful armed group Hezbollah said a strike on a separate town killed one of its fighters.&nbsp;

Hezbollah and the Israeli military had been exchanging fire for over four months when the Lebanese armed group fired rockets across the disputed border in support of Hamas, which launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7.&nbsp;

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This becomes a major concern as chances of war between Israel and Lebanon appear to have increased after months of cross-border fire as before the Israeli strikes, reports said that fire from Lebanon wounded multiple people in northern Israel, according to medics.&nbsp;

As reported by the news agencies, the Magen David Adom emergency service said that seven people were wounded, five of them in the town of Safed.&nbsp;

Although Hezbollah did not announce any operations on Wednesday, the head of its executive council said that Israel's attacks "cannot pass without a response".&nbsp;

But Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Tuesday (Feb 13) that fire from southern Lebanon will end "when the attack on Gaza stops and there is a ceasefire" between Hamas and Israel.&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Ilana Stein, who is an Israeli government spokesperson, told journalists that "numerous launches" were identified as coming from Lebanon on Wednesday morning. The strikes allegedly left one Israeli, a woman, dead and eight others hospitalised.&nbsp;

"As we have made clear time and time again, Israel is not interested in a war on two fronts. But if provoked, we will respond forcefully," she said.&nbsp;

"The current reality, where tens of thousands of Israelis are displaced and cannot return to their homes, is unbearable. They must be able to return home and live in peace and security," she said, further adding that the military responded to cross-border rocket fire from Lebanon.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Why is Israel planning a Rafah offensive and what would it mean?

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After meeting with commanders along the Lebanon-Israel border, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi stated that Israel's "next campaign will be very much on the offensive, and we will use all the tools and all capabilities".&nbsp;

"We are intensifying the strikes all the time, and Hezbollah are paying an increasingly heavy price," he said in a statement as reported by new agencies.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Israeli military said on Wednesday (Feb 14) that its fighter jets "began a series of strikes in Lebanon". Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source said on the same day that Israeli strikes in south Lebanon killed four civilians, including two children, and wounded several others.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday (Feb 14) that its fighter jets "began a series of strikes in Lebanon". Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source said on the same day that Israeli strikes in south Lebanon killed four civilians, including two children, and wounded several others. As quoted by the Reuters news agency, the sources said that a woman and her two children were killed in the strike in the village of al-Sawana. Lebanon's powerful armed group Hezbollah said a strike on a separate town killed one of its fighters. Hezbollah and the Israeli military had been exchanging fire for over four months when the Lebanese armed group fired rockets across the disputed border in support of Hamas, which launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7. Also read: VIDEO: Ukraine claims it destroyed another Russian warship in Black Sea This becomes a major concern as chances of war between Israel and Lebanon appear to have increased after months of cross-border fire as before the Israeli strikes, reports said that fire from Lebanon wounded multiple people in northern Israel, according to medics. As reported by the news agencies, the Magen David Adom emergency service said that seven people were wounded, five of them in the town of Safed. Although Hezbollah did not announce any operations on Wednesday, the head of its executive council said that Israel's attacks "cannot pass without a response". But Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Tuesday (Feb 13) that fire from southern Lebanon will end "when the attack on Gaza stops and there is a ceasefire" between Hamas and Israel. Also read: Iranian pipelines hit in act of ‘terrorism and sabotage’, gas supply disrupted Meanwhile, Ilana Stein, who is an Israeli government spokesperson, told journalists that "numerous launches" were identified as coming from Lebanon on Wednesday morning. The strikes allegedly left one Israeli, a woman, dead and eight others hospitalised. "As we have made clear time and time again, Israel is not interested in a war on two fronts. But if provoked, we will respond forcefully," she said. "The current reality, where tens of thousands of Israelis are displaced and cannot return to their homes, is unbearable. They must be able to return home and live in peace and security," she said, further adding that the military responded to cross-border rocket fire from Lebanon. Watch: Why is Israel planning a Rafah offensive and what would it mean? × After meeting with commanders along the Lebanon-Israel border, Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi stated that Israel's "next campaign will be very much on the offensive, and we will use all the tools and all capabilities". "We are intensifying the strikes all the time, and Hezbollah are paying an increasingly heavy price," he said in a statement as reported by new agencies. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel ‘begins series of strikes’ in Lebanon amid concerns over cross-border escalation

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has&nbsp;accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.

The two countries, which remain technically at war, opened negotiations on the border dispute under US and UN auspices last month to clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration.

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"Lebanon has changed its stance on its maritime border with Israel seven times," Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz tweeted late Thursday.

"Its current position contradicts not only its previous one but also Lebanon's stance on its maritime border with Syria, which takes into account Lebanese islands close to the border," Steinitz said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had set out his country's position on the maritime border, which he said should be "based on the line that departs on land from the point of Ras Naqoura".&nbsp;

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The demarcation should be "according to the general principle known as the median line, without taking into account any impact of the occupied Palestinian coastal islands," Aoun tweeted, referring to the Israeli coastline.

Israel and&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;launched the negotiations last month with delegations from the long-time foes convening at a UN&nbsp;base to try to agree on the border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area.

A presidency statement said Aoun instructed the Lebanese team that the demarcation line should start from the land point of Ras Naqoura as defined under a 1923 agreement and extend seaward in a trajectory that a security source said extends the disputed area to some 2,300 square km (888 sq miles) from around 860 sq km.

Israel's energy minister, overseeing the talks with&nbsp;Lebanon, said&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;had now changed its position seven times and was contradicting its own assertions.

"Whoever wants prosperity in our region and seeks to safely develop natural resources must adhere to the principle of stability and settle the dispute along the lines that were submitted by Israel and&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;at the United Nations," Yuval Steinitz said.

Any deviation, Steinitz said, would lead to a "dead end".

Last month sources said the two sides presented contrasting maps for proposed borders. They said the Lebanese proposal extended farther south than the border&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;had years before presented to the United Nations and that of the Israeli team pushed the boundary farther north than Israel's original position.

The talks, the culmination of three years of diplomacy by Washington, are due to resume in December.

Israel pumps gas from huge offshore fields but&nbsp;Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region.

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has accused Lebanon of changing its position in talks on their disputed maritime border and warned it could lead to a "dead end" that would be damaging for the whole region. The two countries, which remain technically at war, opened negotiations on the border dispute under US and UN auspices last month to clear the way for offshore oil and gas exploration. "Lebanon has changed its stance on its maritime border with Israel seven times," Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz tweeted late Thursday. "Its current position contradicts not only its previous one but also Lebanon's stance on its maritime border with Syria, which takes into account Lebanese islands close to the border," Steinitz said. Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun had set out his country's position on the maritime border, which he said should be "based on the line that departs on land from the point of Ras Naqoura". Also read: Lebanon and Israel to hold UN-mediated talks on disputed borders The demarcation should be "according to the general principle known as the median line, without taking into account any impact of the occupied Palestinian coastal islands," Aoun tweeted, referring to the Israeli coastline. Israel and Lebanon launched the negotiations last month with delegations from the long-time foes convening at a UN base to try to agree on the border that has held up hydrocarbon exploration in the potentially gas-rich area. A presidency statement said Aoun instructed the Lebanese team that the demarcation line should start from the land point of Ras Naqoura as defined under a 1923 agreement and extend seaward in a trajectory that a security source said extends the disputed area to some 2,300 square km (888 sq miles) from around 860 sq km. Israel's energy minister, overseeing the talks with Lebanon, said Lebanon had now changed its position seven times and was contradicting its own assertions. "Whoever wants prosperity in our region and seeks to safely develop natural resources must adhere to the principle of stability and settle the dispute along the lines that were submitted by Israel and Lebanon at the United Nations," Yuval Steinitz said. Any deviation, Steinitz said, would lead to a "dead end". Last month sources said the two sides presented contrasting maps for proposed borders. They said the Lebanese proposal extended farther south than the border Lebanon had years before presented to the United Nations and that of the Israeli team pushed the boundary farther north than Israel's original position. The talks, the culmination of three years of diplomacy by Washington, are due to resume in December. Israel pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.

'Dead end': Israel says Lebanon is changing stance on maritime border

Lebanon to hold talks with Israel on disputed border issue. The talks will be mediated by the United Nations on the disputed land and maritime borders.

Lebanon to hold talks with Israel on disputed border issue

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel views with "great gravity" the latest flare-up on the Lebanese border and pledged a tough response in the event of further incidents.

"We shall react forcefully to any attack against us," Netanyahu said in a statement. "I advise Hezbollah not to test Israel's strength. Hezbollah is once again endangering Lebanon due to its aggression."

Earlier, Israeli aircraft struck posts belonging to the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah&nbsp;after shots were fired from&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;towards its troops, Israel's military said.

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The border flare-up came hours after Lebanon rejected an Israeli call to reform the UN peacekeeping force which patrols the border ahead of a UN Security Council vote to renew its mandate.

No Israeli troops were wounded in the firing, the military said. Soldiers deployed illumination flares, smoke shells and live fire after the shots from the Lebanese side of the frontier, it said.

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"In response, overnight, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck observation posts belonging to the Hezbollah terror organization in the border area," the military said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Tension has been running high on the border. Last month, Israel said Hezbollah carried out an infiltration attempt, which the Iran-backed group denied.

The Israeli military said it lifted a curfew it had imposed overnight.&nbsp;Israel and Hezbollah fought a devastating month-long war in 2006 as well.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel views with "great gravity" the latest flare-up on the Lebanese border and pledged a tough response in the event of further incidents.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel views with "great gravity" the latest flare-up on the Lebanese border and pledged a tough response in the event of further incidents. "We shall react forcefully to any attack against us," Netanyahu said in a statement. "I advise Hezbollah not to test Israel's strength. Hezbollah is once again endangering Lebanon due to its aggression." Earlier, Israeli aircraft struck posts belonging to the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah after shots were fired from Lebanon towards its troops, Israel's military said. Also read: Rival Israel's aid offer to Lebanon in wake of explosion, unlikely to find a taker The border flare-up came hours after Lebanon rejected an Israeli call to reform the UN peacekeeping force which patrols the border ahead of a UN Security Council vote to renew its mandate. No Israeli troops were wounded in the firing, the military said. Soldiers deployed illumination flares, smoke shells and live fire after the shots from the Lebanese side of the frontier, it said. "In response, overnight, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck observation posts belonging to the Hezbollah terror organization in the border area," the military said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah. Tension has been running high on the border. Last month, Israel said Hezbollah carried out an infiltration attempt, which the Iran-backed group denied. The Israeli military said it lifted a curfew it had imposed overnight. Israel and Hezbollah fought a devastating month-long war in 2006 as well.

Netanyahu vows 'forceful' response if more attacks from Lebanon

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, ally of Israel's arch-foe Hezbollah, seemed to leave the door open to eventual peace with the Jewish state, in an interview with French news channel BFMTV.

Lebanon has technically been at war with neighbouring Israel for decades, with tensions sporadically flaring in the border area in Lebanon's south, stronghold of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement.

Asked in an interview on BFMTV on Saturday whether Lebanon would be prepared to make peace with Israel, Aoun responded: "That depends. We have problems with Israel, we have to resolve them first."

His statement came in the wake of an announcement Thursday that Israel would normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates, only the third Arab state to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel since its creation in 1948.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-protests-president-michel-aoun-urges-nation-to-unite-304030">Lebanon protests: President Michel Aoun urges nation to unite</a>

"It's an independent country," Aoun said of the UAE.

Aoun's Christian Free Patriotic Movement has for years been politically allied with Hezbollah, enabling them to dominate parliament and the government, which resigned on Monday amid outrage over negligence that led to the deadly explosion at Beirut's port that devastated the capital.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday of the Israel-UAE agreement that "it's a betrayal of Jerusalem and the Palestinian people. It's a knife in the back."

A key point of contention between Lebanon and Israel concerns oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where both countries have sought bids for exploration in their exclusive economic zones.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-warns-iran-over-interference-as-lebanon-president-claims-blast-damage-cost-15-billion-320049">Macron warns Iran over interference as Lebanon President claims blast damage cost $15 billion</a>

The maritime border between the countries is disputed.

Aoun's interview was aired in the aftermath of the Beirut blast on August 4 that killed 177 people and wounded at least 6,500 more, with many blaming systemic corruption and negligence of the entrenched political class for the disaster.

Many Lebanese have demanded the ouster of the entire ruling class, dominated by ex-warlords from the country's 1975-1990 civil war, including of Aoun.&nbsp;

Asked by the BFMTV journalist if he had thought of stepping down, Aoun said, "it's impossible, there would be a vacuum".

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, ally of Israel's arch-foe Hezbollah, seemed to leave the door open to eventual peace with the Jewish state, in an interview with French news channel BFMTV.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, ally of Israel's arch-foe Hezbollah, seemed to leave the door open to eventual peace with the Jewish state, in an interview with French news channel BFMTV. Lebanon has technically been at war with neighbouring Israel for decades, with tensions sporadically flaring in the border area in Lebanon's south, stronghold of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement. Asked in an interview on BFMTV on Saturday whether Lebanon would be prepared to make peace with Israel, Aoun responded: "That depends. We have problems with Israel, we have to resolve them first." His statement came in the wake of an announcement Thursday that Israel would normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates, only the third Arab state to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel since its creation in 1948. Also read | Lebanon protests: President Michel Aoun urges nation to unite "It's an independent country," Aoun said of the UAE. Aoun's Christian Free Patriotic Movement has for years been politically allied with Hezbollah, enabling them to dominate parliament and the government, which resigned on Monday amid outrage over negligence that led to the deadly explosion at Beirut's port that devastated the capital. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday of the Israel-UAE agreement that "it's a betrayal of Jerusalem and the Palestinian people. It's a knife in the back." A key point of contention between Lebanon and Israel concerns oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where both countries have sought bids for exploration in their exclusive economic zones. Also read | Macron warns Iran over interference as Lebanon President claims blast damage cost $15 billion The maritime border between the countries is disputed. Aoun's interview was aired in the aftermath of the Beirut blast on August 4 that killed 177 people and wounded at least 6,500 more, with many blaming systemic corruption and negligence of the entrenched political class for the disaster. Many Lebanese have demanded the ouster of the entire ruling class, dominated by ex-warlords from the country's 1975-1990 civil war, including of Aoun. Asked by the BFMTV journalist if he had thought of stepping down, Aoun said, "it's impossible, there would be a vacuum".

Lebanon president hedges over eventual peace with Israel in interview

Tensions have escalated at borders at the border between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of sending its fighters into Israeli territory.