Israeli planes strike Beirut hours ahead of anticipated ceasefire agreement

Senior Israeli, Lebanese officials appear optimistic that a deal can be reached

Israeli warplanes hit Beirut's southern suburbs with a wave of air strikes on Nov. 26, just before Israel's Cabinet met to discuss a ceasefire deal with its Hezbollah foes.

A senior Israeli official and Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib appeared optimistic that a deal could be reached, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war in 2023.

Despite the possibility of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged on Nov. 26.

Israeli strikes smashed more of Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, with the Israeli military saying one barrage of strikes had hit 20 targets in the city in just 120 seconds. Israel had issued its biggest evacuation warning yet, telling civilians to leave 20 locations.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the air force was conducting a "widespread attack" on Hezbollah targets across the city.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah has kept up rocket fire into Israel.

The UN's rights chief voiced concern about the escalation of bloodshed in Lebanon and his office said nearly 100 people had been reported killed by Israeli air strikes in recent days, including women, children and medics.

Israel's Security Cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to start meeting at 10 p.m. Singapore time for up to three hours to discuss the ceasefire deal, which a senior Israeli official said was likely to be approved.