Lebanon: 15 killed in Israeli attack on Hezbollah

On Thursday morning, Israeli military operations against the Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, according to reports from state media. The attacks occurred despite a recently signed agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities in the region. According to the Israeli military, these strikes were carried out in response to repeated violations of a ceasefire by Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. The attacks took place during the night, targeting both combatants and critical facilities associated with the Iran-backed group.

The framework agreement, signed on Wednesday by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, includes provisions for an immediate and permanent cessation of military activities across all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, this agreement does not appear to have halted ongoing violence, as Israel continues its offensive actions in the region. France has called for an immediate halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, urging the United States to exert pressure on Israel to comply with international demands. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated that his country is working toward organizing an international conference to support the Lebanese army.

Despite the new agreement, Israel has not ruled out conducting attacks beyond a designated military control zone in southern Lebanon. This stance challenges the terms of the U.S.-Iran deal, which emphasizes respect for Lebanon's sovereignty. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense as neither side shows signs of backing down. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have launched attacks in multiple locations within Lebanon, resulting in several injuries, while Hezbollah has retaliated by launching drone strikes against Israeli positions on Lebanese soil, though no casualties were reported from these incidents.

The recent developments highlight the complexity of the conflict, particularly given the lack of direct involvement of the main belligerents—Hezbollah and Israel—in the drafting of the U.S.-Iran agreement. While the agreement aims to bring about a ceasefire, it appears that both sides continue to engage in military activity without formal consultation. Israel requested permission to review the text of the agreement after it was finalized but was denied access. As a result, Israeli officials had to rely on informal channels to understand the implications of the deal.

According to reports from Arabic media outlets, the agreement stipulates that both parties should refrain from hostile actions and threats of force. However, the interpretation of these terms remains unclear. For instance, whether the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon constitutes a threat of force is still debated. Tehran has indicated that Israel is expected to gradually withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that Israeli troops will remain in Lebanon as long as necessary to secure Israel’s borders. He received support from U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who stated that Israel does not require Iranian approval to defend itself. It remains uncertain how Trump views this position, especially since he has allowed Iran to link events in Lebanon with those in Iran itself.

The agreement includes a provision for a ceasefire in Lebanon, yet this seems contradictory to ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Lebanese government. These talks aim to strengthen the Lebanese government’s capacity to disarm Hezbollah. By allowing Iran to determine the course of action in Lebanon, the United States indirectly strengthens pro-Iranian forces, such as Hezbollah.

Within the Israeli military, there is uncertainty regarding how to interpret the boundaries of the agreement to pursue military objectives in Lebanon without provoking Trump’s ire. Trump has expressed frustration over Israel’s conduct in Lebanon, stating that the prolonged conflict casts a negative light on the broader agreement with Iran, which he describes as a “wall against the atomic bomb.”

At the G-7 summit, Trump suggested that Syria should take responsibility for combating Hezbollah, although it is unclear whether this proposal is serious or merely a rhetorical tactic to pressure Israel. Israel now awaits clear directives from its government on how to proceed in Lebanon amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.