Israel carries out new air and drone strikes in Lebanon despite US-Iran peace understandings, says state media

Beirut (Web Desk/Agencies): Israeli forces carried out fresh air raids on Wednesday targeting several locations in southern Lebanon, according to state media reports, even as a broader peace arrangement tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict remains in place, including provisions involving Lebanon.

The National News Agency (NNA) in Lebanon reported that Israeli warplanes struck areas in the Nabatieh Al-Fawqa region, along with the eastern outskirts of the nearby town of Kfar Tebnit. Separately, the agency said a drone attack also hit the town of Ansariyeh in the Zahrani area.

Despite a noticeable drop in violence following the announcement of a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the regional conflict on Monday, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have continued, with at least five people reportedly killed since the deal was declared, according to NNA.

The easing of hostilities has enabled some residents in southern Lebanon to return to their towns to assess damage and check on their properties. However, the Lebanese army has urged people to postpone returning, warning of potential risks linked to continued Israeli violations and possible attacks.

The conflict widened in early March when Hezbollah Hezbollah entered the war by launching rockets toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. In response, Israel Israel launched an extensive aerial bombing campaign followed by a ground offensive.

Iran Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that any resolution to the conflict would remain incomplete unless Israeli forces withdraw from the territories occupied during the fighting. He added that continued Israeli military activity in Lebanon or prolonged occupation would be considered a violation of the understanding from Tehran’s perspective.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israeli troops would remain deployed in Lebanon “for as long as necessary.”

Hezbollah has not issued any new operational claims or statements since Tuesday regarding attacks on Israeli positions in southern Lebanon.

The group’s leader, Naim Qassem Naim Qassem, is expected to deliver a televised address on Wednesday. Earlier, he expressed strong appreciation for Iran’s efforts aimed at securing an immediate and lasting halt to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.

Lebanon Lebanon’s health ministry updated its figures on Tuesday, stating that the death toll from Israeli strikes since the outbreak of the war has risen to 3,826, as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from destroyed buildings.