Middle East latest: Israel bombs Lebanon’s capital as EU urges it to accept ceasefire with Hezbollah

Israeli warplanes have bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut and its southern suburbs. It’s a sign Israel was aiming to inflict punishment on the militant group Hezbollah in the final moments before a possible ceasefire takes hold. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the Israeli strikes Tuesday killed at least seven people and left 37 wounded in a crowded neighborhood near downtown. The European Union’s foreign policy chief said Tuesday there were “no excuses” for Israel to refuse to implement a ceasefire with the Hezbollah, saying all Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the U.S.-French-brokered deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was convening Tuesday to discuss a proposed ceasefire.