Israel launched coordinated air, drone and artillery attacks on southern Lebanon, killing at least 11 civilians in multiple villages, including the city of Nabatieh, according to the Lebanese state news agency. The attacks followed a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah announced less than 24 hours earlier.
Israel says the strikes targeted "Hezbollah terrorist" positions after the group fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in the south. The government claims the offensive is aimed at driving Hezbollah fighters away from Lebanon's northern borders, where Israeli forces currently occupy about 5% of the country.
Washington says the continuing violence risks scuppering the U.S.‑Iran peace deal, which includes commitments to end fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been briefed on initial talks in Switzerland with Iranian officials, while President Donald Trump praised Israel’s military campaign during a major Air Force One unveiling.
Hezbollah’s senior leadership has reiterated its right to retaliate against Israeli attacks, warning that any occupation of Lebanese villages would provoke continued resistance. The group also warned of intensified attacks should the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon persist.
The escalating conflict has displaced roughly one million people and destroyed dozens of communities. Hayden reports that about 50 missiles have been launched from Israel into Lebanon since Israel’s March operation following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israeli territory, a period that drew Lebanon deeply into the Iran‑protracted hostilities.
