Israel has stepped up strikes on the city’s southern suburbs in recent days, an area Israeli officials say hosts Hezbollah militants and infrastructure.

By Riham Alkousaa and Ari Rabinovitch BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire in Lebanon showed tentative signs of progress on Thursday as Israel pounded its northern neighbour including heavy airstrikes on the stronghold of armed group Hezbollah near Beirut.

Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs late Friday following a heavy bombardment in the morning. A dpa reporter said there were at least three explosions and that black smoke rose over the Ghobeiry area.

Protests have erupted in Paris against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel

Israel will attack any attempt to bring weapons to Hezbollah from Syria, Israel's military spokesperson said on Thursday. "We are identifying rockets and other weapons that Hezbollah is launching at Israeli territory that were manufactured in Syria,

The head of Lebanon's largest Christian party said Iran-backed Hezbollah should relinquish its weapons as quickly as possible to end its year-long war with Israel and spare Lebanon further death and destruction.