Hezbollah has launched a new weapon against northern Israel in the latest round of fighting: small drones controlled with fiber-optic cables the width of dental floss that avoid electronic detection.

These drones — used widely in the war in Ukraine — are small, hard to track and potentially lethal.

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has expressed grave concern over alleged violations of international law arising from the recent escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, while cautiously noting that diplomatic developments following high-level discussions held at the White House in the United States between Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors may influence the trajectory of the conflict.

The IBAHRI emphasized that any political progress must be accompanied by full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as accountability for any alleged violations.

The European Union and the Ministry of Social Affairs have announced new EU funding of €45 million. For the first time in many years, EU funding will be channeled directly through a Lebanese government institution. "This marks a new phase in their partnership, working more closely with national institutions to deliver support to people across the country," the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon said in a statement.

The announcement was made Wednesday at the Grand Serail in the presence of Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed, Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber, and EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele.

Strikes continued Thursday, despite a recently extended ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Israeli army struck Harouf, Jebshit, Toul, al-Henniyeh, Kawnine, Zebqine, Adshit, Qalaway, Nabatieh-Mayfadoun, Beit Yahoun, Jmayjmeh, Harees and Baraashit in south Lebanon.

The Israeli army also dropped white phosphorus bombs on the strategic border town of Khiam and detonated buildings in Shamaa, local media reported.

The former Lebanese president who once signed a short-lived deal with Israel ending decades of a state of war now says the time is right to try again.

Amin Gemayel spoke with The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday after the first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel since the 1980s, as they explore what could lead to a security agreement or even the eventual normalization of relations. He is part of one of Lebanon's strongest political dynasties that founded the Christian Kataeb Party, which held powerful positions for decades.

Israel's military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir vowed to strike Hezbollah targets north of Lebanon's Litani River and beyond the so-called "Yellow Line" during a visit to south Lebanon on Wednesday.

"Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or our forces -- including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani -- will be eliminated," Zamir said, according to a military statement issued after his visit to troops stationed within a newly-established Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon.

President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that Israel must fully implement the ceasefire with Lebanon before beginning direct talks, after Israeli strikes killed more than 20 people over the last two days.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2, and Israeli and Lebanese representatives have since met twice in Washington, the first such meetings in decades, for discussions that Hezbollah has categorically rejected.

A U.N.-backed report said Wednesday that more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon were expected to face acute hunger due to the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel considers the extension of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon until mid-May a window of opportunity to reach a "genuine" understanding, Israeli reports said as an Israeli source said Israel plans to return to "intensive fighting and activity" against Hezbollah if no progress is made during this period.

The source added, in remarks to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to use this timeframe to push for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, despite the prevailing skepticism on both sides regarding the feasibility of such a meeting.

President Joseph Aoun has informed Washington that he does not intend to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the beginning of the proposed negotiations, but rather when they conclude, MTV reported.

"This means that if the negotiations succeed, they will culminate in a meeting with Netanyahu under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump," MTV said.