Israel bombed Lebanon’s capital in what it said was retaliation for drone incursions by Hezbollah, escalating tensions as the US and the militia’s patron Iran near an interim peace deal.

A drone strike on northern Israel set off a chain reaction Sunday: Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut in retaliation, and Iran is now threatening to strike back. Why it matters: The escalation lands hours before the the U.

BEIRUT, May 28 (Reuters) - An Israeli strike hit a building in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital on Thursday, the first strike to hit near Beirut in weeks amid a ceasefire that has failed to halt fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in south Lebanon.

Israeli drone strikes near Beirut kill six, targeting vehicles amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah and recent diplomatic efforts.

Israel’s air force carried out an airstrike on a southern suburb of Lebanon’s capital on Thursday afternoon, the Israeli military said, further straining a fragile ceasefire a day before crucial negotiations in Washington.