Israel’s latest military campaign has erupted in the southern reaches of Lebanon, killing at least 11 civilians less than 24 hours after a new cease‑fire was announced between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s state‑run news agency reported that Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery targeted more than a dozen areas, many around the city of Nabatieh. The Israeli military said it struck "Hezbollah terrorist targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
A U.S. official warned that sustained fighting could jeopardise the recently signed peace deal with Iran, which calls for an end to hostilities on “all fronts,” including Lebanon. Tehran insists the country must be part of any broader agreement. U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been heading to Switzerland for initial talks with Iranian officials to cement this deal.
The conflict sees Israel occupying roughly 5% of southern Lebanon’s territory, aiming to push back Hezbollah fighters from the northern border. A million people remain displaced, while dozens of communities have been destroyed.
Senior Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah said the group had every right to respond to Israeli attacks and warned that if Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon persists, Hezbollah will continue its strikes.
Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to pursue military action against Hezbollah, while the U.S. criticises the operation as potentially scuppering the Iran peace deal. President Donald Trump, however, praised Netanyahu as a "warrior" on the national stage.
For more context on the U.S.–Iran peace deal, see this feature.
