Israel Strikes Choueifat Neighborhood in Beirut's Southern Suburbs Ahead of Washington Talks; 11+ Killed

Israel's air force struck the Choueifat neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs on May 28 — close to Beirut International Airport — the day before crucial Lebanon-Israel peace negotiations in Washington. White smoke billowed from a struck residential building; the specific target was not immediately clarified by the IDF. Earlier on May 28, Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 11 people including two children and wounded 21 more. A drone struck an apartment building housing displaced families in Sidon, killing five people and wounding 21, including five children. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly condemned Israel's 'onslaughts' on Tyre and Nabatieh, calling the ongoing displacement 'collective punishment,' on the eve of the Washington negotiations. Lebanon's stated negotiating priorities included securing a real ceasefire, a timetable for Israeli withdrawal, and release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.