Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon as US-Iran Talks Canceled; At Least 16 Killed

Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, as the Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in response to repeated ceasefire violations. The escalation has cast doubt on a new US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the broader conflict, which calls for an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, including a tank battalion commander, after a suspected Hezbollah anti-tank missile or drone attack on an Israeli tank in the village of Kfar Tebnit. In response, the IDF said it launched strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa valley and other areas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any immediate withdrawal from southern Lebanon, stating Israeli forces will remain there “for as long as necessary.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel, encouraging all parties to allow negotiations to proceed.

The violence has also disrupted diplomatic efforts. US-Iran talks scheduled for Friday in Switzerland were called off, and US Vice President JD Vance canceled a related trip. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said future talks must respect Tehran’s “red lines,” including the ceasefire in Lebanon. He warned that if the enemy becomes excessive in demands, Iran is ready to retaliate with a “stinging response.”

In the hard-hit city of Nabatieh, residents marked the religious ceremony of Ashura amid the destruction. The annual commemoration, which mourns the slaying of Imam Hussein, took on added significance this year as the Hezbollah-Israel war has killed more than 3,900 people in Lebanon, most of them Shia Muslims. Attendees expressed grief and pride for their martyrs, drawing parallels between the ancient battle of Karbala and their current suffering.