Beirut, Lebanon. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 15 people on Friday, state news agency NNA said, as Israel said the overnight attacks targeted what it described as Hezbollah sites in several areas.
Strikes reported in Nabatieh district
Residents and domestic media said Israeli airstrikes and shelling hit several towns in the Nabatieh district overnight and into early Friday. NNA described the bombardment as among the heaviest in recent weeks.
Israel says attacks targeted Hezbollah
The Israeli military said it had struck what it described as Hezbollah militants and infrastructure at several southern sites. It said the attacks were in response to repeated violations of the ceasefire by the Iran-backed group.
Questions over interim peace deal
The escalation came a day after Israel published a map showing an expanded military control zone in southern Lebanon, beyond which it said it would not rule out attacks. The move raised questions over Wednesday’s U.S. interim peace deal with Iran.
Terms of the agreement
The agreement calls for an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, and for parties to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Dispute over troop deployment
A senior Israeli official said Israel was engaged in “stubborn negotiations” with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration over keeping troops deployed 10 km (6.2 miles) inside southern Lebanon as it pursues Hezbollah.
Ongoing hostilities in the south
Israel has rejected calls to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has continued attacks on Israeli positions. Some of those attacks have used explosive drones that have killed and wounded troops this week.
