Israeli forces pound northern Gaza, killing 88 Palestinians in two waves of attacks on Beit Lahiya and the Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City.

    The United States defends its veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying the text failed to tie a truce to the release of Israeli captives.

    Israel’s latest attacks on Lebanon and Syria kill nine in Tyre and 36 in Palmyra, as Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any truce deal.

    Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed at least 43,985 Palestinians and wounded 104,092 since October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.

    In Lebanon, at least 3,558 people have been killed and 15,123 wounded in Israeli attacks since the war on Gaza began.

    Israeli forces bomb Beirut’s southern suburbs

    Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) says Israeli forces launched three raids on Haret Hreik in the capital’s southern suburbs overnight, destroying a number of buildings.

    The predawn attacks came as Israel’s military continued its bombardment of southern Lebanon, with raids reported in Khiam, Jdeidat Marjayoun, al-Qalaa and Burj al-Muluk.

    Earlier, NNA reported that Israeli attacks late on Wednesday killed at least five people and wounded 23 others in Maarakeh.

    Another nine were killed and 65 wounded in Tyre, it reported.

    What are the prospects of a truce deal between Israel and Hezbollah?

    Hassan Mneimneh, a political analyst with the Middle East Institute, says he is not optimistic about the prospects of a deal between Israel and Hezbollah given their entrenched positions in the war.

    “Israel is clear about wanting freedom of action in Lebanon, which means bypassing Lebanese sovereignty … and Hezbollah has not considered that it would stop its war of support to Gaza,” he said.

    “So in other words, the two main issues here have not been dealt with.”

    The US and Israel are seeking other “byproducts” from the negotiations, said Mneimneh.

    “What this process of negotiations can lead to is a decoupling between Gaza and Lebanon. Because even if Hezbollah does not concede to the American initiative, if the Lebanese government accepts it, it means a ceasefire in Lebanon irrespective of what happens in Gaza,” he said.

    Additionally, in such a scenario, Hezbollah will be blamed for not carrying out a ceasefire, something that will increase anger from the Lebanese public, he said.

    “There’s already quite a bit of movement against this war and, therefore, pressure on Hezbollah.”