Israel Continues Strikes in Southern Lebanon, Killing 11 Amid Ceasefire

Sat Jun 20 2026 14:42:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill at least 11 people less than 24 hours after a ceasefire announcement, raising tensions amid the US‑Iran conflict.

Less than a day after Israel and Hezbollah announced a ceasefire, Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery targeted more than a dozen Lebanese towns near Nabatieh, killing 11 civilians. The operation, described by Israel as a strike on “Hezbollah terrorist targets,” follows the group’s firing of over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces. Washington has warned that the continued violence could undermine the US‑Iran peace deal, which calls for an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. In the wake of the attacks, senior Hezbollah officials have vowed continued resistance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced domestic pressure to maintain military pressure on the group.

Israel Continues Strikes in Southern Lebanon, Killing 11 Amid Ceasefire

Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery targeted multiple Lebanese towns around Nabatieh on Saturday. According to the Lebanese state news agency, the raids killed at least 11 civilians and created large grey clouds of smoke over the region.

Israel maintains that the operation was aimed at “Hezbollah terrorist targets” after the group threw more than 50 rockets and projectiles into Israeli territory earlier this month.

Washington has cautioned that the renewed violence could jeopardise the US‑Iran peace framework, which includes a clause calling for a halt in hostilities across all fronts. Tehran insists Lebanon must be a part of any broader agreement.

A senior Hezbollah official, Hassan Fadlallah, reiterated the group’s right to respond to Israeli attacks, warning that any occupation of new positions should be resisted.

The conflict has displaced around a million people and destroyed much of southern Lebanon. Observers fear that continued clashes may erode regional stability and impede diplomatic progress.

Source: Reuters