Israeli warplanes intensified heavy airstrikes targeting the city of Nabatieh and several towns across southern Lebanon, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries, amid international warnings over potential damage to archaeological sites in the historic city of Tyre.

The escalation coincided with the launch of direct military negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington under U.S. mediation to discuss a potential truce agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon, stating: “We are also operating in Beirut and the Bekaa along the entire front, delivering crushing blows to Hezbollah.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that an average of 11 children were killed or injured every 24 hours in Lebanon during the past week.