Netanyahu To Soon Announce Hezbollah Truce As Israel Hits 20 Sites In Beirut Within 2 Minutes

Israel on Tuesday unleashed what eyewitnesses say marked the biggest airstrikes on Beirut yet, hitting 20 sites across the city's southern suburbs within two minutes.

The Israeli military (IDF) said the air force conducted "a widespread attack" on Hezbollah targets there. "After issuing an unusually broad evacuation warning for 20 buildings in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, a Hezbollah stronghold, the IDF said that within two minutes, it had struck all 20 sites," Times of Israel writes. "The fast and extensive wave of airstrikes was carried out by eight fighter jets, according to the military."

The targets were in the areas of Al-Hadath, Haret Hreik and Burj Al-Barajneh – which are known Hezbollah strongholds. Residents were reportedly urged to evacuate. It's being described the highest number of buildings issued evacuation warnings by the IDF in a single day.

Dahiyeh, which has been a frequent target for strikes since the bombing raids began, saw huge plumes of smoke hovering above buildings in the aftermath. The area is home to some one million people. Also on Tuesday the IDF has begun publishing evacuation orders for central Beirut, significantly outside any area considered a Hezbollah stronghold.

As for the ongoing ground offensive in southern Lebanon, IDF troops have as of Tuesday pushed the furthest north since the incursion began: 

Israeli soldiers reached the Litani river in southern Lebanon on Tuesday for the first time since they began ground operations in the country in mid-September, marking a symbolic milestone in their campaign.

In recent days, social media video and Lebanese media reports have shown Israeli troops around the river near the town of Khiam, south of the river, where Hezbollah also says its fighters have engaged in heavy fighting with Israeli forces.

This ramp-up in attacks has come hours ahead of an expected major announcement that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon, with Times of Israel confirming in the afternoon (local time)--

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with his security cabinet now" as his ministers are "expected to approve a ceasefire in the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon."

An official statement from Netanyahu’s office is expected by 2pm eastern (per some local reporting). Not everyone is happy with it.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett represents the anger of many. He pointed out in a fresh statement "Hezbollah still has its stockpile of tens of thousands of rockets." He said this means "it can continue producing [weapons] and rearming.”

More huge strikes on the Bekaa Valley on Tuesday:

"An impressive military achievement by IDF soldiers and commanders is being translated into a total security-diplomatic failure," Bennett stressed. Some Israeli officials are concerned that the truce arrangement does nothing to effectively alleviate the problems of northern Israel, which has seen some 80,000 residents indefinitely evacuated from their homes for more than a year. As for the current ceasefire deal on the table... will it actually hold?