Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 18 as Israel says four soldiers killed by Hezbollah
Lebanon Reports 18 Killed in Israeli Strikes; Israel Claims Hezbollah Killed Four Soldiers
Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 18 - Israeli air attacks in southern Lebanon overnight resulted in at least 18 civilian casualties, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Meanwhile, the Israeli military stated that four of its soldiers were killed during clashes with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have targeted 80 Hezbollah sites, eliminating "dozens" of militants in the process.
Escalating Conflict Amid US-Iran Agreement
The strikes occurred a day after the U.S. and Iran finalized a deal to end hostilities in the region, including a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued exchanging attacks since the agreement was announced, casting doubt on the deal's ability to halt the escalating violence.
The U.S.-Iran accord aims to halt all conflicts and safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty. Despite this, Israel has reaffirmed its presence in the south, stating its campaign against Hezbollah is distinct from its broader war with Iran. Lebanon’s state news agency described Thursday’s bombardment in Nabatieh as one of the war’s most severe, with 18 fatalities, 33 injuries, and multiple buildings damaged.
Hezbollah's Retaliation and Regional Fallout
Hezbollah responded by ambushing an Israeli unit, reportedly destroying three tanks with precision missiles and engaging troops with rockets and artillery. Lebanon’s involvement in the conflict began shortly after the war with Iran started, when the group launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for an attack that killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign, occupying approximately 5% of Lebanon’s territory in the south. The health ministry reported over 3,912 deaths and 11,699 injuries since the latest hostilities began, with a million people displaced and dozens of southern communities reduced to rubble. Hezbollah has pledged to continue its assaults as long as the Israeli incursion persists.
Political Tensions and Leadership Statements
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure to expand military operations against Hezbollah, which could strain relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Lebanon, prompting Netanyahu to emphasize the importance of maintaining U.S. support during the Iran war.
Responding to the loss of four soldiers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared:
“All of Lebanon must burn. With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel to respect the deal and called on the U.S. to exert pressure on its government.
The U.S.-Iran agreement, signed on Thursday, includes commitments to Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief. It sets a 60-day deadline for a final settlement, which can be extended. A planned round of talks on Friday was postponed after U.S. Vice-President JD Vance canceled his trip to Switzerland, citing criticism of Netanyahu’s cabinet for opposing the deal.
Vance previously accused some Israeli officials of undermining the agreement, saying:
“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”
He specifically named National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as critics, challenging them:
“What is your exact proposal? You’re a country of nine million people. You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have.”
Lebanon’s health ministry has confirmed the toll of the conflict, emphasizing the human cost amid ongoing strikes. The situation remains volatile, with both sides asserting their positions as the truce’s future hangs in the balance.