Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 18 people overnight, Lebanese authorities said on Friday, while Israel's military reported that four of its soldiers had been killed in fighting with Hezbollah.
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The Israeli military said it struck around 80 Hezbollah-linked targets and killed dozens of the group's fighters. The escalation came just one day after the United States and Iran signed an agreement intended to end hostilities across the Middle East, including a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon.
Fighting Continues Despite Agreement
The US-Iran accord calls for an end to hostilities on multiple fronts and stresses respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite the agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued military operations, raising doubts about whether the broader ceasefire framework can hold.
Israel has maintained that its campaign against Hezbollah is separate from its conflict with Iran and has said it does not plan to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon.
Lebanon's state news agency described the overnight attacks in the Nabatieh district as among the heaviest bombardments of the war. The country's health ministry reported 18 deaths and 33 injuries, with several buildings damaged.
Hezbollah said it had carried out an ambush against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, destroying three tanks with guided missiles and targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire.
Heavy Human Toll
Lebanon became involved in the wider regional conflict after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel following a strike that killed Iran's supreme leader.
Israel responded with a large-scale air campaign and a ground presence in southern Lebanon, saying it aimed to push Hezbollah fighters away from its northern border.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, at least 3,912 people have been killed and 11,699 wounded since the latest phase of the conflict began. The dead include women and children.
About one million people remain displaced, while numerous communities in southern Lebanon have been destroyed.
Hezbollah has said it will continue its attacks as long as Israeli forces remain in Lebanese territory.
Political Tensions Grow
The deaths of the four Israeli soldiers prompted strong reactions from members of Israel's government.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for intensified action, saying "all of Lebanon must burn" and arguing that Israel's security could not be subject to negotiations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel to respect the agreement and called on Washington to pressure the Israeli government to comply with its terms.
The US-Iran deal signed on Thursday includes provisions covering Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and a commitment to pursue a final settlement within 60 days, with the possibility of an extension.
US-Israel Differences Emerge
A new round of talks planned for Friday was postponed after US Vice-President JD Vance cancelled a scheduled trip to Switzerland.
Vance has publicly criticised some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet for opposing the agreement. He specifically named Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as critics and questioned what alternatives they proposed to the current diplomatic effort.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of Israel's relationship with Washington, noting that the United States had stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Israel during the conflict with Iran.
Recent reports, however, have suggested growing friction between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump over Israel's conduct in Lebanon.
US officials have previously stated that while Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire framework, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory is not a requirement of the agreement and that Israel retains the right to act in self-defence.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 19 June 2026