Israel's military said Friday that its forces carried out overnight strikes across southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah reported intense clashes in the area, raising concerns about the future of the recently reached Iran-US agreement aimed at ending their conflict.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said at least 16 people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said its operations were continuing.
The renewed fighting threatens the newly signed agreement between Iran and the United States, which calls for an immediate halt to military operations "on all fronts, including in Lebanon." The deal also emphasizes protecting Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing elections later this year, has insisted that Israeli troops will remain in Lebanon until the threat posed by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is removed.
The escalation came as planned talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland on efforts to secure a permanent end to the conflict were postponed.
US Vice President JD Vance delayed his trip to Switzerland, where he was expected to lead the negotiations. The White House cited logistical reasons for the postponement. However, the announcement followed a report by Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab television channel aligned with Hezbollah, claiming that Iran was delaying the arrival of its delegation because of Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials signed the initial agreement on Wednesday during a meeting attended by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. The agreement took effect immediately, reports UNB.
Speaking after the signing, Vance issued a strong 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."
