Israeli Military Strikes Southern Lebanon; Lebanese PM Accuses Israel of 'Scorched-Earth Policy'

Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, warning residents in over a dozen locations to evacuate. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel today of pursuing a 'scorched-earth policy' in southern Lebanon and demanded an immediate end to the fighting. Just a day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had penetrated deep into Lebanon. Prime Minister Salam issued a warning today, stating that the 'dangerous' situation in Lebanon is escalating, and demanded that Israel 'immediately implement a real ceasefire.' In a televised address, Salam accused Israel of 'executing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment,' adding that it is 'destroying towns and villages and forcing people to flee.' He stated that this approach 'will bring neither security nor stability to Israel.' Military representatives from Israel and Lebanon held security talks in Washington yesterday, with more negotiations expected next week, mediated by the United States. Despite the new wave of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, Salam remains positive about the contact between the two sides, stating that while there is 'no guarantee' of the outcome, it is 'a path that allows us to minimize the cost paid by our country and people.' A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah officially took effect on April 17 but has never been fully implemented. Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement and use this as a pretext for attacks. Lebanese and Israeli officials are negotiating in Washington; a US statement after yesterday's meeting did not mention a ceasefire but described it as a 'productive military dialogue' that could serve as a basis for political talks next week. Hezbollah remains firmly opposed to direct negotiations.