Power outages hit northern Israel after missile strike from Lebanon

Power outages occurred in Metula and Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel following a missile strike launched from Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Friday. Damage was reported on a packing house in Metula, and fire erupted at the scene, Channel 12 said, adding that there were no casualties. Israeli daily Haaretz reported that 25 rockets have been launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel since early Friday.

Continued exchanges

The reported rocket launches came as Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by the Lebanese group Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have intensified since Wednesday, with Lebanese health authorities reporting 1,888 killed and 6,092 wounded since March 2.

US-mediated talks

Earlier, a US State Department official told Anadolu that the US will host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon next week as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, while a senior Lebanese source said "the meeting at the US State Department next week is preparatory, not a negotiation."

Ceasefire context

The expected talks come after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week Pakistan-mediated ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday. While Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the truce also covered Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv have denied it, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued.