At least five people have been killed in Israeli air strikes targeting towns in southern Lebanon , as Lebanese and Israeli military delegations plan to hold security talks at the Pentagon.

The attacks on Friday came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River in Lebanon, which runs about 30 kilometres north of their shared border, in an expanded ground offensive.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 items list 1 of 4 How War Changed Eid in Lebanon

list 2 of 4 US and Iran reach tentative deal for 60-day truce extension, officials say

list 3 of 4 US-Iran 60-day proposal: What we know

list 4 of 4 Harvard Medical School graduate dedicates speech to Lebanon and Palestine

end of list

Israel’s latest military operation started despite the “ceasefire” that began on April 17, and was extended for 45 days on May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the United States.

Israel-Lebanon talks

At the Pentagon talks later on Friday, Lebanon will demand that Israel halt its…