Several people have been killed in renewed Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, coming less than a day after a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was announced.
According to Lebanon’s state news agency, at least 11 people died after Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery carried out coordinated attacks on more than a dozen locations, with many of the strikes concentrated around the city of Nabatieh.
The Israeli military said it struck “Hezbollah terrorist targets” following reports that the group had launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
The latest escalation has drawn concern from Washington, which warned that Israel’s continuing military operations in Lebanon risk destabilising wider diplomatic efforts linked to the US-Iran framework aimed at reducing hostilities across multiple fronts.
Tehran has insisted that Lebanon must be included in any broader settlement to end the conflict.
US envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly travelling to Switzerland for early-stage discussions with Iran aimed at strengthening the emerging agreement.
Images and video from southern Lebanon on Saturday morning showed thick plumes of grey smoke rising after the reported Israeli airstrikes.
Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah said the group reserves the right to respond, stressing expectations of full compliance with the ceasefire from the opposing side. He 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.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting domestic pressure to sustain military operations against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia political and armed group based in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has warned it will continue its attacks if Israel’s ground presence in southern Lebanon continues.
The White House has criticised Israel’s ongoing military activity in Lebanon, saying it could undermine fragile peace efforts.
However, President Donald Trump, speaking near Washington during an event unveiling a new Air Force One aircraft, described Netanyahu as a “warrior”.
The current tensions trace back to March, when Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into Israel, drawing Lebanon deeper into the wider regional conflict involving Iran-backed forces.
Israel responded with an extensive bombing campaign across Lebanese territory and currently maintains control over roughly 5% of southern Lebanon, with the stated aim of pushing Hezbollah away from its northern border.
The fighting has displaced about one million people, while several towns and villages in southern Lebanon have been heavily damaged or destroyed.
