The Israeli military on Wednesday struck the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon after calling for evacuations, witnesses said, as its ground forces advanced against the Hezbollah militia in southern parts of the country. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said residents in the affected area, which includes large parts of Baalbek as well as neighbouring villages, should leave their homes immediately. Security sources and witnesses said that a series of strikes hit the city following the warning. “The whole city of Baalbek was shaking as loud sounds of explosions were heard,” a witness told dpa. Residents earlier fled the affected areas in panic as loudspeakers in mosques across Baalbek called on people to leave the city. Around 80,000 people live in Baalbek, which is known for its Roman temples that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.In addition, many internally displaced civilians have sought refuge in the area – considered a Hezbollah stronghold – since Israel launched its ground offensive in southern Lebanon in late September.
US envoy travels to Israel for crunch talks
The latest reports came amid cautious optimism about a ceasefire in the region, which has seen fighting escalate since the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched the October 7 attacks on Israel. Israeli media reported on Wednesday that US envoy Amos Hochstein is to travel to Israel on Thursday for talks along with White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk. The Israeli army radio station said that an agreement could be concluded “within days,” citing the Israeli military. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent talks on Tuesday on possible ways out of the war.Israel is calling for Hezbollah to withdraw to the area north of the Litani River, as provided for in a UN resolution. The resolution also allows for a large number of Lebanese soldiers to be stationed along the Israeli border. Naim Qassem, the organization’s new secretary general, said in a televised speech: “If the Israelis decide that they want to stop the aggression, we will accept that – if we find the terms to be acceptable.” In his first address since he was appointed to replace former leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an airstrike in September, Qassem stressed that the movement would “not beg for a ceasefire.” “The enemy must know that the bombing of Lebanese villages and towns will not force the militia to retreat,” he said. Qassem, who was previously the group’s deputy chief, pledged that Hezbollah would emerge victorious from this battle. “We have the ability to remain resilient for days, weeks and months,” he added.