Despite expected peace talks with Israel, Lebanon is still reeling from the shock of Wednesday's Israeli attacks, one of the deadliest days the country has ever seen.
The death toll from Wednesday's strikes on Lebanon has risen to 357, with 1,223 people injured, the country's Health Ministry said on Friday. In a statement, the Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health said the figures remain preliminary, as rescue teams continue clearing rubble and recovering human remains.
As Israel escalates its campaign against Hezbollah, it has launched a ground invasion on three fronts in an attempt to advance to the Litani River. But the offensive has fallen far short of its goals.
"After 35 days of ground invasion across the eastern, central and western fronts, Israeli forces have not been able to advance more than seven kilometers. We believe this is because they have encountered numerous obstacles and suffered losses unprecedented in their history of conflict with Lebanon," said Hisham Jaber, head of the Middle East Center for Strategic Studies.
"The important question is not where Israeli forces penetrate, but whether they will remain as occupiers. I believe they will keep driving out as many residents as possible from areas south of the Litani River and advancing to occupy the area, though they may not stay permanently. They will likely negotiate with the Lebanese government for withdrawal and put out some conditions including border settlements, key strategic points, and a buffer zone," said Jaber.
Lebanon and Israel agreed on Friday to hold an initial meeting next Tuesday at the U.S. State Department in Washington to discuss a ceasefire and the date for starting U.S.-mediated negotiations, the Lebanese presidency said.
But for some survivors, the shock from Wednesday's attack remains raw.
"To be honest, what happened felt like a dream. Thank God we survived, and everyone else was saved. Our neighbors told us that some residents were killed, and some people got up and came back from under the rubble," said Hassan al-Zaatari, a survivor.
Lebanese still reeling from shock of Israeli attacks
A member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah (the Houthi military group) on Thursday warned of an escalation in conflicts in the Middle East as Israel continued to carry out deadly strikes in Lebanon.
Talking to China Global Television Network (CGTN), Houthi political bureau member Ali Al-Dailami emphasized the group's support for other members of the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance," a regional coalition committed to countering Israel and includes militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
"Coordination within the 'Axis of Resistance' is ongoing, especially since we are talking about American and Zionist hegemony, and this axis is based on resisting imperialism and resisting the Zionist occupation, so it continues. This coordination has already appeared in many moves, most recently what was announced by the military spokesperson Yahya Saree regarding joint operations between Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen," said Al-Dailami.
"We are with the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are with the resistance, we are with Lebanon, we are with Palestine. This is a principled stance we cannot waver from, and it is also considered a red line. And this red line -- whoever tries to cross it, we will certainly confirm the other direction, which is the direction of the resistance: with Lebanon, with Palestine, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Iraq, and with all who resist American imperialism and Zionist occupation," said the official.
His remarks echoed the statement by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who said on Thursday that military operations would escalate in the coming period, warning of potential "surprise actions" in line with developments on the ground.
In a televised speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi indicated that the group's campaign would enter a new phase marked by intensified activity and evolving tactics.
The Houthi leader highlighted his group's military role within what he described as coordinated regional efforts, stating that the Yemeni front had contributed to "joint operations with the Axis of Resistance," including missile and drone strikes targeting Israel.
A two-week ceasefire was announced early Wednesday by the United States and Iran. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would comply with the truce but would continue military operations in Lebanon.
Prior to the ceasefire, the Houthis had launched missile and drone attacks against Israel starting on March 28 -- one month after the United States and Israel launched the current massive attacks on Iran -- in what they described as support for allied forces in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
The group, which has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014, previously supported Iran during last year's 12-day conflict with the United States and Israel.
Houthi official warns of military escalation amid regional tensions
