Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 18 as Israel says four soldiers killed by Hezbollah
At least 18 people were killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli air strikes, while Israel reported four soldiers killed by Hezbollah. The attacks come a day after a US-Iran deal aimed at ending hostilities in the region.
New attacks after US-Iran deal
Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 33 wounded in a series of Israeli air strikes overnight in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they hit 80 targets linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, killing "dozens" of its members. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced four of its soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack.
Hezbollah claimed it ambushed Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, destroying three tanks with guided missiles and targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire. The attacks occurred a day after the US and Iran signed a deal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, including a permanent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Fighting continues despite agreement
Both Israel and Hezbollah have launched strikes since the deal was announced, raising doubts about the truce. Lebanon's state news agency described the overnight bombardment in the Nabatieh district as one of the most intense of the war, hitting several buildings.
Since the conflict began, at least 3,912 people have been killed in Lebanon, including women and children, and 11,699 wounded. Around one million people remain displaced, and dozens of communities in the south have been completely destroyed.
Reactions and pressure
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to continue military operations against Hezbollah, which could put him on a collision course with US President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Israel's conduct in Lebanon. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said "all of Lebanon must burn."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel to respect the deal and called on the US to pressure the Israeli government. A US official previously criticized some members of Netanyahu's cabinet for their attitude toward the deal, saying "you can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem."
