Casualties Reported in Southern Lebanon and Israel
At least 18 individuals have died in southern Lebanon following a series of Israeli air strikes overnight, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Concurrently, the Israeli military reported that four of its soldiers were killed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their operations targeted militants and infrastructure associated with the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
Context of the Conflict Amid US-Iran Deal
This escalation occurred a day after the United States and Iran signed an agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, which includes a permanent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Despite the agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah have conducted strikes against each other, raising concerns about the durability of the truce between the US and Iran.
The US-Iran deal mandates an end to hostilities on all fronts and calls for respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
However, Israel has declared it does not intend to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and maintains that its conflict with Hezbollah is distinct from the war with Iran.
Details of the Bombardment and Hezbollah's Response
Lebanon's state news agency described the overnight bombardment across the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon on Thursday as one of the most intense of the war, reporting at least 18 fatalities, 33 injuries, and damage to several buildings.
Hezbollah claimed it ambushed an Israeli group in southern Lebanon, destroying three tanks with guided missiles and targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire.
Background of the Conflict
Lebanon became involved in the war between Israel, the US, and Iran shortly after it began, with Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran's supreme leader.
Israel responded with a bombing campaign across Lebanon and invaded a significant portion of the country's south, aiming to push Hezbollah fighters away from its northern border.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, at least 3,783 people have been killed and 11,699 wounded since the latest conflict started.
Political Reactions and Domestic Pressure in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to continue military operations against Hezbollah, potentially putting him at odds with US President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Israel's actions in Lebanon.
Following the deaths of the four Israeli soldiers on Friday, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated:
"All of Lebanon must burn"
He added in a statement:
"With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel on Friday to "respect" the deal and called on the US to pressure the Israeli government accordingly.
Details of the US-Iran Agreement and Its Impact
The US-Iran agreement signed on Thursday includes provisions concerning Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and commits both parties to pursue a final settlement within 60 days, with the possibility of extending the deadline by mutual consent.
A new round of direct talks scheduled for Friday was postponed after US Vice-President JD Vance canceled his planned trip to Switzerland to attend them.
Vance had previously criticized some members of Netanyahu's cabinet for their stance on the deal, stating they should "wake up and smell reality."
He remarked to reporters:
"If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world."
In an interview with the New York Times, Vance identified Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as critics of the deal, stating:
"I guess my response to them would be - what is your exact proposal? You're a country of nine million people. You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have."
Netanyahu's Position and US-Israel Relations
On Thursday, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties with the US, noting that Washington had stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Israel during the war with Iran.
However, relations between the two countries have recently become strained, with leaked information suggesting that Trump has expressed frustration with Netanyahu during phone conversations.
US officials have indicated that while Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire framework, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory is not a condition of the deal, and Israel retains the right to self-defense.
