The U.S. says Hezbollah is undermining Lebanon-Israel talks, while Reuters reported Israel struck Beirut for the first time since the ceasefire, escalating tensions around the negotiations.
The United States said Hezbollah is trying to derail talks between Lebanon and Israel, as fresh Israeli strikes on Beirut raised the stakes for the fragile diplomacy process.
Al Jazeera reported that U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said Washington wants good-faith conversations between Lebanon and Israel, but accused Hezbollah of trying to undermine them through attacks and threats.
The comments came as Reuters reported Israel struck Beirut on May 6, the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire agreed last month. Reuters said Israel claimed the strike killed a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force.
The strike added pressure to already shaky ceasefire efforts and to the broader talks process. It also sharpened concerns about whether the current diplomacy can survive renewed military action.
Hezbollah had not immediately confirmed the reported death, and the next moves from both sides remain unclear.
The U.S. remarks and the Beirut strike together show how quickly the political and military tracks around Lebanon and Israel are now colliding.
Revision note
Updated with fresh Beirut strike coverage.