The Israeli military has stated that it will continue operations in southern Lebanon despite a renewed ceasefire, following a deadly flareup that disrupted the opening of Iran talks. At least five people were killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning, as US envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly prepares to open talks with the Iranian foreign minister.
Ceasefire Renewed After Violent 24 Hours
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after 24 hours of intense violence that posed an early challenge to the new agreement between the US and Iran to end their conflict. A meeting scheduled between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland to discuss implementation of the new deal was cancelled when Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel carried out retaliatory airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley, killing at least 47 people.
The talks were to have begun in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran's nuclear programme while getting oil traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Warns Against Breach
The MoU called for an end to hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on Friday against any breach of the agreement, threatening a "decisive response … to the enemy". The cancellation of the talks between Iran and the US came so abruptly that staff of US Vice-President JD Vance and journalists had gathered at Joint Base Andrews in anticipation of the trip. Dozens of White House officials and media were already in Switzerland to prepare for Vance's arrival.
Late on Friday, it appeared that Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, might instead open the talks. Axios reported that Trump's envoy was already in Switzerland, along with the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was reportedly planning to travel to Switzerland on Saturday, but that was subject to change.
Renewed Violence in Southern Lebanon
On Saturday morning, at least five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese town of Arabsalim, Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported. NNA said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out strikes across the Nabatieh area overnight and into the morning, destroying residential buildings and houses, while Israeli artillery shelled Nabatieh and its outskirts before dawn.
The flaring violence and diplomatic back-and-forth over the planned talks added to uncertainty over whether a definitive end could be found to a regional war that has killed at least 7,000 people, sent energy prices soaring, and threatened global economic chaos.
Trump Defends Deal Amid Criticism
Donald Trump again defended the deal after criticism in Washington, including from some Republican allies in Congress who questioned whether he conceded too much to end a war unpopular with most Americans before November's midterm elections. "The War has diminished Iran!" he wrote on social media. "We didn't meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We'll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!"
Lebanon has emerged as a flashpoint that could upend Trump's efforts to extricate the US from the war, frustrating the president, who has lashed out at Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hezbollah and Israel Clash
The latest clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which has close ties with Tehran, were the most violent since the ceasefire was established. Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near Nabatieh with rocket fire and drones overnight after intermittent Israeli shelling. Israel responded with airstrikes on the city and surrounding towns, leaving at least 18 dead and 33 wounded, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
By evening, the clashes appeared to have ended. "If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us it is not a time of war," an Israeli official said late on Friday. Two Hezbollah sources confirmed a new ceasefire to Reuters.
Domestic Pressure on Netanyahu
Many Israeli commentators believe Iran will be strengthened by the deal agreed by Trump, and the killing of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah prompted fury. Netanyahu, who promised the joint US-Israeli war against Iran would lead to regime change in Tehran, has faced fierce domestic criticism. His office issued a statement saying Israel would not tolerate attacks and would "exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks". "Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary for the protection of the communities of the north," the statement said.
Netanyahu faces elections within months and is under pressure from political rivals. Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said "all of Lebanon must burn". "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," he said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Approves MoU
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday that he had approved the MoU despite reservations, while the US officially lifted a blockade of Iranian ports. Before the talks were cancelled, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iranian negotiators needed to see signs of implementation of the interim agreement before further talks could begin.
Israel, which was not included in the peace talks and has distanced itself from the US-Iran agreement, has accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire, an accusation the group has thrown back at Israel.
Background of the Conflict
Fighting began in Lebanon on 2 March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in revenge for the killing of Iran's supreme leader by the US and Israel. The subsequent Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon and bombing campaign has left more than 3,900 people dead. Hezbollah has killed at least 32 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and three Israeli civilians.
On Thursday, Israel announced a "security zone" in southern Lebanon, comprising hundreds of square miles. Lebanese officials have demanded a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, something Iran said was required by the MoU. Vance said Israel needed to respect the peace process. US forces lifted their naval blockade of Iranian ports, but activity remained muted in the Strait of Hormuz.
