Israeli military launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon that have killed at least 16 people, according to the country’s civil defence agency, less than a day after Israel and Hezbollah announced a new ceasefire. Consequently, questions are mounting over whether the truce can hold.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli warplanes and drones struck the Nabatieh district overnight and into Saturday morning, destroying homes as artillery shelled the area before dawn. Civil defence teams reportedly worked since early morning to recover the dead and wounded.
Both Sides Trade Blame
The Israeli military said it targeted “Hezbollah terrorist targets” after the group fired over 50 projectiles at its forces in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, however, insisted it retains the right to respond. Senior official Hassan Fadlallah said, “What concerns us is that the enemy fully and comprehensively respects the ceasefire, and doesn’t attempt to attack our country and villages or seek to occupy any new position.”
Washington has likewise criticised Israel’s continued operations, fearing they could derail its broader peace push with Iran. Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the US-Iran war in March, after the group launched rockets into Israel following a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Tehran has since insisted Lebanon must be included in any comprehensive settlement.
Talks Postponed Amid Violence
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were due to meet in Switzerland on Friday to advance the agreement. However, those reports revealed that officials postponed those talks, underscoring how the Lebanon violence threatens wider diplomatic progress.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces domestic pressure to maintain military pressure on Hezbollah. President Donald Trump nonetheless praised him as a “warrior” this week, even as the White House separately warned the operation risks unravelling the peace deal.
Israel currently occupies roughly 5% of Lebanese territory in the south, displacement has forced around a million people from their homes, and the fighting has destroyed dozens of southern communities.
