Israeli airstrikes kill eight people on highway south of Beirut: Lebanon's health ministry

Beirut - Israeli airstrikes killed eight people on a highway south of Beirut ⁠on Wednesday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as ⁠conflict between Hezbollah and Israel ‌continued on the ​eve of a third round of U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been ​trading blows despite ⁠a U.S.-mediated ceasefire announced last month, with hostilities largely focused in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are ⁠occupying a ‌self-declared security zone.

The three separate airstrikes were carried ‌out well beyond the main theatre of ⁠conflict in the south, targeting vehicles on the coastal highway ‌in an area around ‌20 km (12 miles) south of Beirut, ‌security sources said.

The Lebanese ‌health ministry said the dead included two children.

The Israeli military didn't immediately respond to ⁠a ⁠request for comment.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and told residents to leave six towns and villages where it intended to act ​against the group.