At least 18 people were killed after Israeli forces launched fresh air strikes across southern Lebanon, according to local reports, as hostilities intensified despite efforts to sustain a ceasefire linked to the recent United States-Iran agreement.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the overnight attacks hit several areas in the south, while the Israeli military said it was carrying out operations against Hezbollah targets.
The Israeli army said it struck more than 80 Hezbollah positions and killed dozens of fighters, accusing the group of violating ceasefire arrangements. It also confirmed the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander, during the fighting
The renewed violence comes at a sensitive time, with diplomatic efforts underway to turn the US-Iran ceasefire agreement into a broader regional settlement. Planned technical talks between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland were reportedly delayed after Iran declined to send a delegation, citing Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon.
Israel has maintained that its military campaign must continue to counter Hezbollah attacks launched from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.
The escalation has triggered strong reactions from some Israeli officials. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for harsher action, writing on social media that “all of Lebanon must burn,” while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged Israel to “open the gates of hell.”
Lebanese media also reported separate Israeli drone strikes on Thursday, including an attack on a vehicle near Kfar Tebnit that killed two people. Another strike in Zabadin reportedly left one person dead.
Hezbollah said it had repelled an Israeli offensive that lasted several days and aimed to push deeper into southern Lebanon. The group claimed its fighters used drones, rockets and artillery to target Israeli troops and tanks, preventing further advances.
The latest clashes have complicated efforts to implement the broader US-Iran agreement, which Washington says should lead to calm across the region.
US President Donald Trump said Washington expected “a complete ceasefire on all fronts,” including between Israel and Hezbollah, and urged all parties to allow negotiations to proceed.
Meanwhile, Israel released a map showing the positions of its troops inside southern Lebanon, extending roughly 10 kilometres beyond the border.
The move has drawn criticism from Lebanese officials and analysts who argue that continued occupation of Lebanese territory undermines prospects for a lasting settlement.
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr said the scale of Israeli bombardment has reduced compared to previous weeks, but drone strikes and exchanges of fire continue.
According to her, Hezbollah believes the US-Iran agreement has strengthened its position and has signalled that it will not accept a one-sided ceasefire or calls for disarmament while Israeli forces remain inside Lebanese territory.
The United States also announced new sanctions targeting Lebanese officials and business networks accused of supporting Hezbollah and obstructing peace efforts.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 3,912 people, injured 11,873 others and displaced more than one million residents since the conflict escalated in March.
