Israel-Hezbollah fighting death toll in Lebanon passes 3,020, health ministry says

Lebanon’s health ministry said deaths in the latest Israel-Hezbollah fighting rose past 3,000 on Monday. The ministry put the total at 3,020, even as a fragile ceasefire held in parts. The conflict displaced more than a million people inside Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon also began US-facilitated talks, though Hezbollah stayed outside them.

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The ministry said the 3,020 deaths included 292 women and 211 children. Fighting continued despite the ceasefire that began on April 17. That truce was later extended into June. Clashes began on March 2, after Hezbollah fired at Israel. This followed US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Israel-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon: ceasefire and talks

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, backed by the United States, led to the April 17 ceasefire. Israel and Lebanon have officially been at war since Israel was created in 1948. Hezbollah was not part of the negotiations. Israeli officials said the goal was disarming Hezbollah. Lebanese officials said they wanted an armistice, not normal ties.

Israel said it invaded southern Lebanon and struck Beirut and other areas. Israel said the aim was to block Hezbollah efforts to rearm. Hezbollah remained a strong armed group and political force in Lebanon. Hezbollah also resisted calls to disarm. Pressure came from the Lebanese government and other sides.

Israel-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon: displacement and attacks

More than a million people in Lebanon were driven from homes by the violence. Some people sheltered in tents along roads and by the sea in Beirut. Israel also faced frequent Hezbollah drone attacks. Israeli officials said these strikes were hard to stop. The fighting continued even with the extended ceasefire.

Israel-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon: leaders and casualties

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Aoun declined to meet or speak directly with Netanyahu at this stage. Such contact could trigger blowback in Lebanon. Past talks with Israel drew protests, according to the report.

On the Israeli side, 20 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians inside Israel were killed. A defence contractor working in southern Lebanon was also killed. U.N. peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon were caught in the crossfire too. Six peacekeepers were killed during the fighting, the report said.

With inputs from PTI