00:00Israel has stepped up its offensive in southern Lebanon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
00:05ordered an escalation of strikes against Hezbollah.
00:08The group has responded with more than 20 drone and rocket attacks targeting Israeli forces.
00:16Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend a 45-day ceasefire earlier in May,
00:22but fighting has continued on a near-daily basis.
00:25According to Netanyahu, Israel's military offensive has struck more than 600 targets under Hezbollah.
00:32Far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezaliz Modric have also called for a broader offensive,
00:39including strikes on Beirut.
00:41Officials from Lebanon and Israel are due to hold talks in Washington next week
00:45as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.
00:49Hezbollah leader Naim Qasim has rejected direct negotiations with Israel
00:53and repeated his refusal to disarm the group.
00:56But Lebanese Prime Minister Joseph Aoun defended his decision to engage in talks with Israel
01:02while insisting that any final agreement must include a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
01:08Hadhi al-Mufaw Silence
01:10Haffir Adhi al-Mufawadar
01:10Haffir Adhi al- izan
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