A cease-fire deal to end the conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia was close but not complete Monday, three senior Biden administration officials told NBC News.
Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people in the Lebanese capital of Beirut while Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets at Israel, leaving neighborhoods in flames, according to the Israeli military.
Amir Levy / Getty ImagesThe latest clashes follow months of intensifying fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, with Hezbollah firing rockets and other projectiles into Israel after the surprise Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that ignited the war in Gaza.
The attacks have spanned as far as parts of Syria, where a recent Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
Talks of a possible cease-fire come about a month after Israel attacked Iran on its soil, stoking fears that Iran would retaliate and dramatically escalate tensions in the region.
Persons:
John Kirby, it’s, Amir Levy, Danny Danon, Miriam al, Ed Ram
Organizations:
Hezbollah, Biden, NBC News, House, Palestinian, Hamas, United Nations, Washington, Getty
Locations:
Israel, Beirut, Rinatya, Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut's Basta, Syria