BEIRUT, Jun 19: Fresh Israeli strikes and clashes with Hezbollah killed dozens in Lebanon on Friday, prompting the postponement of planned US-Iran talks and casting doubt on efforts to secure a broader ceasefire linked to a recent agreement aimed at ending the wider Middle East conflict.
Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli air strikes and bombardments killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 others across the country, including seven women and two children. The violence marked the deadliest escalation since a US-Iran interim deal was reached to halt hostilities in the Gulf and pave the way for negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme.
The renewed fighting also led to the suspension of talks scheduled in Switzerland between US and Iranian officials. Iranian delegates declined to travel, insisting that fighting between Israel and Hezbollah must stop before negotiations can proceed, according to regional officials familiar with the discussions. US Vice President JD Vance also postponed his planned visit.
The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement remains one of the most fragile elements of the broader agreement. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a signatory to the deal, which nevertheless envisages a cessation of hostilities between them as part of wider efforts to stabilise the region.
Israel's military said four soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel DorGedalia Ben Simhon, were killed during fighting near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh. Israeli military correspondents reported the tank they were travelling in was struck by a suspected anti-tank missile or explosive drone. Another five soldiers were wounded in a separate drone attack.
In response, Israel launched what it described as extensive strikes against Hezbollah targets.
"The IDF struck more than 80 command centres, terrorists, launch positions, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nabatieh and additional areas in southern Lebanon," the military said, adding that dozens of Hezbollah fighters had been killed.
Israeli aircraft also struck the Bekaa Valley and the Baalbek region in eastern Lebanon, areas that had largely been spared since the conflict intensified in early March.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a forceful response.
"Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or on our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks," he said.
Netanyahu also insisted Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary", despite Iranian demands for a complete withdrawal.
Hezbollah acknowledged carrying out attacks on Israeli forces around Nabatieh and said its operations were in response to Israeli ceasefire violations. The group said it had targeted Israeli troops with rockets and mortar fire near the strategic Ali al-Taher hills overlooking the city and attacked Israeli tanks attempting to advance in the area.
"The enemy has never complied with any ceasefire agreement," Hezbollah said, maintaining that clashes were ongoing. "REUTERS, AFP
