**Hezbollah Launches Intense Barrage into Israel Amid Escalating Conflict**

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah fired approximately 250 rockets and projectiles into Israel, injuring seven people on Sunday. This assault marks one of the militant group's most intense attacks in weeks, occurring as negotiators worked on cease-fire efforts to end the ongoing war.

The rockets reached as far as the Tel Aviv area, central Israel, prompting air raid sirens and further retaliation from Israeli forces. Concurrently, an Israeli airstrike on a military center in Lebanon killed one soldier and injured 18 others in the southwestern region between Tyre and Naqoura. The Israeli military expressed regret over the incident, stating the strike was intended to target Hezbollah militants in combat zones.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the Israeli strike, describing it as a deviation from U.S.-led cease-fire efforts. He referred to it as a "direct, bloody message" against ongoing peace negotiations.

The conflict further intensified following a massive attack by Hamas from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. In solidarity with Hamas and the Palestinian cause, Hezbollah began its rocket offensives. Israel's response was swift, launching retaliatory airstrikes and killing top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in September.

The latest volley resulted in considerable damage and injuries within Israel. The Magen David Adom rescue service treated seven people, including a 60-year-old man in severe condition and several others with varying injuries across different cities, including Petah Tikva and Haifa. Additionally, the Palestine Red Crescent reported 13 injuries in the West Bank due to an interceptor missile striking homes in Tulkarem.

As clashes continued, Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut left at least 29 people dead and 67 wounded over the weekend, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Israel targeted Hezbollah command centers and intelligence units located in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut.

Casualties continue to mount on both sides. Lebanese sources report over 3,700 deaths and displacement of around 1.2 million people due to Israeli strikes. On the Israeli side, approximately 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed since the conflict's resurgence, with around 60,000 Israelis displaced, especially from northern regions.

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, has urged increased pressure on both sides to reach a cease-fire. After meeting key Lebanese leaders, Borrell emphasized that an agreement was pending, though he expressed skepticism about the Israeli government's willingness to finalize a deal. The proposed agreement includes the withdrawal of both Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers set to patrol the area.

Lastly, the conflict has overshadowed the anniversary of the only hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas. Talks for a new deal, albeit troubled by recent setbacks, remain critical as around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, a year after the initial releases in 2023. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll has risen to over 44,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

The region remains on high alert as violence continues to escalate, highlighting the urgent need for an effective cease-fire agreement.