Thousands flee Beirut as Israel warns of fresh strikes on Hezbollah
Residents left the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital after an Israeli warning, as US-mediated talks were due to resume.
Thousands of people fled the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday after Israel announced it would carry out renewed strikes on Hezbollah fighters it said were sheltering there.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said families were leaving by car, motorcycle and on foot, carrying essentials, while others returned to shelters. The UN said civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.
A ceasefire under strain
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on 17 April but, according to the UN, was never fully observed by either side. It has been extended twice, most recently on 16 May for a 45-day period.
The truce followed some of the heaviest fighting of the war. On 8 April, Israel launched what it described as its most powerful attacks on Lebanon, which Lebanese authorities said killed at least 357 people.
Talks and warnings
The US State Department said negotiations aimed at a lasting political agreement were scheduled for 2 and 3 June, after military delegations from both sides met on 29 May. President Trump said this week that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt hostilities.
Iran has warned that if Israel's campaign in Lebanon continues, it will abandon its own negotiations with Washington and move toward direct confrontation with Israel. The Lebanese front is closely linked to the wider war between the United States, Israel and Iran.