Israeli air strikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling hit southern Lebanon, specifically the Nabatieh area, on Saturday morning. These attacks occurred shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group took effect on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.
Reports on the death toll vary, with Lebanese state media and civil defense reporting between five and 16 deaths, including two children. One report indicates that strikes on June 19 and 20 killed around 100 people. The Lebanese civil defense agency reported transporting 16 dead and 12 wounded to hospitals during the attacks, which destroyed residential buildings and homes.
The Israeli military stated the strikes were responses to projectiles fired by Hezbollah. While U.S. officials indicated the ceasefire was implemented at President Donald Trump's request, Israel asserted it is not party to the US-Iranian deal that requires a cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
The renewed hostilities have derailed planned peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in Switzerland, which were to involve U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The fighting casts uncertainty over efforts to permanently end the war in the Middle East and curb Tehran's nuclear program, highlighting the fragility of the U.S.-Iran peace deal.