Israel's military is clashing with the militant Hezbollah group along a strategic river in Lebanon. The clashes come as Israeli troops are pushing farther north, just days before Lebanese and Israeli delegations are to meet for talks in Washington. Lebanon is hoping for an agreement that would lead to Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The Litani River has been a de facto boundary, with areas to the south under Israeli control despite a nominal ceasefire. Tuesday's intensified strikes follow a warning by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. One Israeli strike killed a family of 12 in the eastern village of Mashghara. Hezbollah launched several attacks on Israeli troops along the river.

Lebanon and Israel have held direct diplomatic talks for the first time in decades. Tuesday's more than two-hour meeting at the State Department came after more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks a "historic opportunity," while Israel's ambassador to the U.S. hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon. Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and wasn't represented. There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese side. The Lebanese government hopes the talks will lead to an end to the war, which has killed over 2,000 people there.

A senior Hezbollah official says the Lebanese militant group will not abide by any agreements made in upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in the United States. The talks, which are to start on Tuesday, will be the first in decades. Hezbollah opposes these negotiations, viewing Israel as an enemy. Lebanese officials hope for a ceasefire, while Israel is seeking Hezbollah's disarmament and a potential peace agreement. Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah's political council, told The Associated Press in a rare interview on Monday that Hezbollah is "not interested in or concerned with" these negotiations in the U.S.

Lebanon is reeling after the deadliest day of renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The death toll has exceeded 300 as more bodies are found. Israel has authorized direct talks with Lebanon despite no diplomatic ties. The Health Ministry on Thursday reported 1,150 wounded in strikes that rocked Lebanon on Wednesday including busy parts of Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah. Israel's military targeted Hezbollah sites. But strikes hit densely packed areas that led to civilian casualties. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the attacks "barbaric." The conflict has displaced more than a million people.

Israeli strikes have hit central Beirut without warning, causing panic after the announcement of the ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Wednesday's strikes in the Lebanese capital came after Israel said the ceasefire does not apply to its fight with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. President Donald Trump later said Lebanon was not included in the deal. Israel's military said it hit over 100 targets in Beirut and other areas. Lebanon's health ministry said at least 89 people were killed and 700 were wounded. Associated Press journalists saw charred bodies in cars at one of the capital's busiest intersections. Hezbollah has not agreed to the ceasefire. Displaced families face uncertainty.

The Lebanese parliament has extended its term by two years due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which has pushed the region into an escalating conflict, and Israel stepped up its attacks on Lebanon. On Monday, lawmakers approved the move after fighting displaced more than half a million people in Lebanon. Israel also intensifies attacks on Lebanon, saying it targeted Hezbollah's financial arm, al-Qard al-Hasan, in Beirut's southern suburbs. Israel also said its ground forces launched "focused raids" in the south of Lebanon. Hezbollah said it hit Israeli troops and fired rockets into northern Israel. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using white phosphorus in strikes on a Lebanese village in violation of international law.

Two Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East are signaling their readiness to launch new attacks. The move seems to support Iran, which is concerned as a U.S. aircraft carrier has reached the region. On Monday, Yemen's Houthi rebels hinted at resuming attacks on Red Sea shipping. Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah also issued a threat on Sunday, warning of "total war" if Iran is targeted. The threats come as the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the region amidst Trump's threats to attack. The UAE announced it would not allow its territory to be used for military action against Iran, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy.

Israel has carried out airstrikes on southern and northeastern Lebanon. Thursday's strikes come as the deadline to disarm Hezbollah looms. The attacks happened a day before a meeting of a committee monitoring a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The ceasefire ended the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah a year ago. The Israeli military said that it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and military sites. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the strikes stretched from Mount Rihan to the northeastern Hermel region. The U.S. has increased pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah in recent weeks.