Israel strikes southern Lebanon, straining fresh US-Iran ceasefire deal

Israeli forces launched overnight strikes across southern Lebanon as Hezbollah reported intense fighting. The violence threatens a new US-Iran deal that demands an immediate halt to combat in Lebanon.

In Short

• State media said overnight raids killed at least 16 people in Lebanon
• Planned Switzerland talks on a permanent settlement were delayed amid worsening tensions
• The pact requires an immediate halt to military action across all fronts

Israeli forces carried out overnight strikes across southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Friday, while Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area. The fresh violence has put pressure on the recently signed agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war, as the deal calls for an immediate halt to military operations "on all fronts, including in Lebanon".

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said at least 16 people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes, which Israel said were continuing. The attacks also came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States on a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed.

The agreement signed by the United States and Iran also calls for ensuring Lebanon's "territorial integrity and sovereignty". Continued fighting in Lebanon could undermine that deal, as Israel has been battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah group there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has refused to pull forces out of Lebanon. He has said Israeli troops will stay there until the threat from Hezbollah has been eliminated.

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday postponed his trip to Switzerland, where he was due to lead the talks. The White House said the delay was due to logistical issues. But the announcement came after Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel politically allied to Hezbollah, reported that Iran was delaying the departure of its delegation to Switzerland because of Israel's continuing military campaign in Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump signed the initial pact with Iran on Wednesday while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, and the agreement took effect immediately. After the signing, Vance issued a blunt warning to Israel, saying Trump was "the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time".

In summary, the Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, the reported deaths and the delay in US-Iran talks have added fresh strain to an agreement meant to stop military action across the region, including in Lebanon.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends