BEIRUT, Aug. 16 -- Hezbollah on Saturday called on the Lebanese authorities to stop pursuing direct negotiations with Israel, describing the talks as "humiliating."

In a statement following Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon earlier in the day, the group accused Israel of continuing a campaign of attacks against Lebanese civilians, homes and agricultural areas.

Hezbollah said the Israeli escalation reflected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's desire to intensify the war in order to strengthen his domestic political position, serve electoral interests and appease the far right.

It also accused the United States of pushing Lebanon toward negotiations that serve Israeli interests, and of providing Israel with political and milit...