Israeli Strikes Kill 16 in Southern Lebanon Amid Renewed Hostilities

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed several people amid overnight exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

According to the Lebanese Civil Defense, 16 people were killed and 12 wounded in Israeli attacks on the city of Nabatieh and nearby villages in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military confirmed strikes against what it described as “Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon” after Hezbollah had “launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces,” an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official reportedly said.

The fighting continued despite Israel and Hezbollah having agreed to a ceasefire on Friday in an effort to deescalate a conflict that, on the same day alone, killed at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.

Renewed hostilities in Lebanon could also complicate the implementation of the agreement signed on Wednesday between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the conflict that began on Feb. 28.

The U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran immediately heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with Hezbollah launching rockets toward northern Israel and the IDF responding with military operations inside Lebanese territory.

According to the agreement signed by Washington and Tehran, military operations should cease across all fronts, and Iran has argued that continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon undermine the spirit of the deal.

According to the New York Times, a recent U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that Israel is likely to continue military operations against Hezbollah, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic pressure following attacks by the armed group in northern Israel.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly traveled to Switzerland on Friday to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for planned talks between Tehran and Washington.