*Update*: Israel expands attacks on Beirut's southern district, Hezbollah fires on Haifa area

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz have instructed the Israeli army to resume attacks on Hezbollah positions in Beirut. The New York Times reports that thousands of people fled the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital after Netanyahu officially announced the expansion of the military campaign. At the same time, IDF units took control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area beyond the Litani River.

On the Israeli side, rescue services reported at least four injured in the afternoon after a Hezbollah drone crashed in the north of the country. According to the Jerusalem Post, fire crews were deployed at the crash site; information on the condition of the injured was not initially available. Earlier in the morning, Hezbollah had fired rockets at northern Israel, including at the outskirts of the coastal city of Haifa.

Ceasefire effectively failed

France 24 reports that Israel justified the attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs – a Hezbollah stronghold – as a direct response to the renewed rocket fire. The ceasefire, which had recently provided a brief respite, is thus considered to have effectively failed.

The Hindu reports that the situation in southern Lebanon remains unclear: IDF troops are advancing into areas that should actually be under the control of the Lebanese army and the UN observer mission UNIFIL. Humanitarian organisations are warning of a new mass exodus from the greater Beirut area.

No willingness to negotiate in sight

The events of the day form a clear pattern: Hezbollah relies on drone and rocket attacks deep into Israel, while Israel responds with airstrikes on urban infrastructure in Lebanon. Both sides have so far signalled no willingness for new negotiations.