Israeli strikes kill more than 4,300 in Lebanon since March

More than 4,300 people have been killed and over 12,000 injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March, according to Lebanon's Public Health Ministry, as tensions continue despite a ceasefire reached in June.

The ministry said at least 4,335 people have been killed and 12,273 injured since March 2, when the latest round of fighting began, just days after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

According to global media reports, although a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect in June, the situation remains fragile. Israeli forces continue to hold parts of southern Lebanon and have carried out intermittent strikes in several villages.

The negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are closely tied to the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament, although the armed group itself is not a direct participant in the bilateral talks.

Tensions escalated further this week after the Israeli military said two Israeli soldiers were killed and four others wounded in an explosion in southern Lebanon. It was the first reported Israeli military death since the June ceasefire. The blast occurred as troops entered an area in the village of Majdal Zoun, according to the Israeli military.

Against this backdrop, Lebanese and Israeli representatives met in Rome to discuss implementation of the June 26 agreement. Under the deal, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from occupied areas of southern Lebanon and hand control to the Lebanese army, while Hezbollah would give up its weapons.

However, the talks ended prematurely on Wednesday amid continuing tensions on the ground.

A Lebanese official said on Friday that Lebanon and Israel had agreed on a list of countries that could deploy troops to help verify Hezbollah's disarmament under the US-brokered agreement. The United States will ultimately select which countries will participate, the official said.

Hezbollah has continued to reject calls to surrender its weapons north of the Litani River, arguing that its military capabilities are necessary to deter Israeli aggression and occupation.