Israel steps up strikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks continue as talks loom

Israel stepped up strikes over the weekend in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Hezbollah rocket attacks also intensified over the weekend in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

Lebanon's health ministry said that since fighting renewed on March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 2,055 people, including 167 since Friday. Israeli authorities say twelve Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah over the same period. Fighting has continued despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran, which Israel says does not apply to its campaign in Lebanon. Among the latest victims of the weekend bombardment was Taleen Saeed, just under two years old. On Sunday, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said, "We will work to stop this war and obtain the Israeli withdrawal from all of our territory." Nawaf Salam also said, "We are continuing our efforts… by negotiating to stop the war." Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The war continues, including in the security zone in Lebanon," and "We have thwarted the threat of an invasion from Lebanon thanks to this security zone." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had killed more than 20 Hezbollah fighters operating from a hospital compound in Bint Jbeil. The weekend strikes also hit emergency responders, killing a Lebanese Red Cross rescuer. Lebanese authorities say more than 80 rescuers and medical personnel have been killed in Israeli strikes since the start of the war.

Lebanese, Israeli and US officials are due to hold talks in Washington on Tuesday. The Lebanese president's office told the BBC that the discussions would focus on conditions for a ceasefire, and that formal negotiations could follow if an agreement was reached. Israel's embassy in Washington has said it has refused to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah and that the talks