Lebanon PM Accuses Israel of Scorched-Earth Policy
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Nawaf Salam accused Israel on May 30, 2026 of a 'scorched-earth policy and collective punishment,' saying Israeli forces were destroying southern Lebanese towns and forcing inhabitants into exile while warning of a 'dangerous' escalation.
- Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israeli forces had advanced beyond the Litani River, roughly 30 km north of the frontier, and were 'hitting Hezbollah head on.'
- The April 17 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah officially took effect but has never been observed, with both sides accusing each other of violations justifying fresh attacks.
- Hezbollah launched multiple attacks on northern Israel on Saturday, with more than 25 projectiles fired and air alert sirens sounding in Karmiel and Safed for the first time since the truce.
- The Lebanese Health Ministry reports Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,371 people since March 2, when Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the broader Middle East war in support of Iran after the death of Iran's supreme leader in February 28 US-Israeli strikes.
- Israeli and Lebanese military delegations held US-brokered security talks in Washington on Friday, with political negotiations planned for next week — talks that Hezbollah vehemently opposes.
- Two Lebanese soldiers were seriously wounded by an Israeli drone near Nabatieh, as Israel issued fresh evacuation warnings for villages in the south and east.
Why it matters: The April 17 ceasefire has never held. With over 3,371 Lebanese killed since March 2 and Israeli forces now 30 km past the border at the Litani River, military escalation and the US-brokered diplomatic track are running simultaneously in opposite directions — making next week's political talks the only remaining off-ramp for a wider war.
