Israel Continues Strikes on Syria and Lebanon Despite US Diplomatic Efforts

Israeli forces have continued carrying out air strikes, artillery attacks and ground operations in parts of Syria and Lebanon, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States to reduce tensions and bring an end to the fighting.

In southern Syria, Israeli forces reportedly shelled a strategic hill near Beit Jinn, in the western Damascus countryside, late on Wednesday. Syrian media also reported that Israeli troops raided and searched a house in the village of Taranja, in the Quneitra countryside.

The latest attacks come amid growing tensions between Israel and Syria. Israeli forces have carried out hundreds of strikes inside Syria since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Israel has also moved troops into a United Nations-monitored buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces near the occupied Golan Heights.

Recent tensions have been further heightened by an Israeli air strike on a Syrian military airbase near the Turkish border. Israel claimed that Türkiye was attempting to establish a military presence at the site, allegations rejected by both Damascus and Ankara.

The latest Israeli operations also came shortly after Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held talks with Israeli intelligence officials in Jordan, in discussions mediated by Washington.

Damascus said the talks were aimed at ending what it described as continued Israeli attacks, arrests and military operations inside Syria.

Analyst Marwan Kabalan of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies expressed doubts that the negotiations would produce a major breakthrough.

He suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be seeking to increase military pressure on several fronts ahead of Israel’s general election in October, particularly to strengthen support among right-wing and far-right voters.

Israeli Strikes Continue in Lebanon
In Lebanon, Israeli forces also carried out a series of attacks across the southern part of the country.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli aircraft struck the town of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district late Wednesday, while another attack targeted Sarbine in the Bint Jbeil district earlier in the day.

Israeli artillery fire was also reported in Wadi Zibqin, while air strikes hit Beit Lif and Yater. Israeli forces reportedly continued demolishing buildings and other property in southern Lebanon, including in Hula in the Marjayoun district.

Large explosions were also heard in the areas of Bayt al-Sayyad, Baraachit and Majdal Zoun.

Israeli drones were meanwhile observed flying at low altitude over Beirut, including the capital’s southern suburbs.

The attacks have continued despite a US-mediated framework agreement intended to end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

The agreement followed a major escalation in March, when Israel launched heavy bombardments against Lebanon after renewed attacks by Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health says Israeli military operations since March 2 have killed about 4,350 people and wounded 12,310 others.

The continuing violence has also revived debate in Lebanon over the framework agreement signed with Israel in June.

The deal envisages a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in return for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended the diplomatic process on Wednesday, saying negotiations remained the best option for protecting the country from what he described as the devastating consequences of another major war.

However, political analyst Khaldoun Al-Sharif argued that Lebanon had already fulfilled its obligations under the earlier ceasefire agreement reached with Israel in 2024.

He accused Israel of repeatedly violating the agreement through continued strikes and the demolition of Lebanese homes.

Al-Sharif also criticised Washington for failing to exert sufficient pressure on Israel to stop the attacks, arguing that the United States has the influence needed to push Israel towards reducing military operations.

The continued Israeli attacks have therefore raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of US diplomatic efforts and whether Washington is prepared to use its influence to secure a lasting reduction in hostilities across Syria and Lebanon.

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