Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, raises concerns over US-Iran peace deal
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Israel said it carried out overnight air strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Monday, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the ceasefire and the potential impact on the emerging diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran.
The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah facilities in the Nabatieh and Mayfadoun areas. It also said it hit a rocket launcher used by the group to attack Israeli troops operating in the security zone.
"The raids came in response to Hezbollah's continued targeting of our forces operating in the security zone," the Israeli military said.
Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by carrying out multiple attacks across southern Lebanon, including strikes on residential buildings in Nabatieh and Mayfadoun, according to Al Jazeera. The group also reported drone strikes and explosions in several other southern towns.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it was closely monitoring what it described as repeated Israeli violations and "reserves the right to defend our homeland and people."
The latest escalation comes days after Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected a US-backed framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, reiterating the group's demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
The renewed hostilities also risk affecting the emerging US-Iran dialogue after the recently announced memorandum of understanding called for an end to conflicts across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
Separately, Turkiye's Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said ending the far-right Israeli government's expansionist policies would help bring peace for Palestinians and contribute to regional stability. Speaking at the opening of a NATO summit in Istanbul, he said lasting peace in the Middle East would not be possible without justice for the Palestinian people after decades of Israeli incursions, according to Al Jazeera.