Israel has stepped up strikes on the city’s southern suburbs in recent days, an area Israeli officials say hosts Hezbollah militants and infrastructure.

By Riham Alkousaa and Ari Rabinovitch BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire in Lebanon showed tentative signs of progress on Thursday as Israel pounded its northern neighbour including heavy airstrikes on the stronghold of armed group Hezbollah near Beirut.

Fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs late Friday following a heavy bombardment in the morning. A dpa reporter said there were at least three explosions and that black smoke rose over the Ghobeiry area.

Israel and Hezbollah indicated they were clashing deeper inside Lebanese territory. An escalation could undermine efforts to reach a cease-fire, as Iran’s leader signaled he supported ending the war with Israel.

An Israeli minister indicated that a ceasefire was closer than at any point since the war began, though he said a sticking point was ensuring Israel retains freedom to act inside Lebanon should any deal be violated.

Protests have erupted in Paris against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel