Lebanon Death Toll Tops 2,000 as Israeli Strikes Continue; 97 Killed in 24 Hours

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 2,020, with 6,436 people injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

In its latest update on Saturday, the ministry said 97 people were killed and 133 injured in the past 24 hours alone, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict.

The casualties include 165 children killed and 641 injured, as well as 248 women killed and 1,107 injured, the ministry added.

Amid the escalating violence, the Lebanese presidency announced that Lebanon and Israel will hold their first meeting on April 14 at the US State Department in Washington, DC. The talks are aimed at reaching a ceasefire and opening the door to direct negotiations.

The planned meeting comes against the backdrop of broader regional diplomacy, as Iran and the United States are currently engaged in rare discussions in Islamabad to end a war that began on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Islamabad talks follow a recent announcement by US President Donald Trump of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, after Tehran reportedly submitted a “workable” 10-point proposal for negotiations.