Israeli airstrikes killed 18 people overnight in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon, state media reported on Friday, despite a peace deal in the Middle East war that includes Lebanon.

Lebanon's National News Agency said "the enemy committed several massacres" with a series of airstrikes after midnight that targeted residential areas in several towns, including Haruf, where at least eight people were killed.

They were the deadliest strikes since Iran and the United States agreed to halt the wider Middle East war.

Israel’s military said intense fighting in southern Lebanon killed four soldiers.

The military identified one of the dead, a lieutenant colonel, and said the three others would be identified later.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said "all of Lebanon must burn" after the military announcement of the four deaths.

"With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining. All of Lebanon must burn," he said in a statement.

The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed.

Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with Hezbollah group, reported that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over ongoing Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.

Israel maintains it must continue to hold the territory and have a free hand to battle Hezbollah as it has been launching attacks into northern Israel.

Continued fighting in Lebanon could unravel the newly signed deal, which calls for an immediate halt to military operations “on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” where Israel has been battling Hezbollah, and for ensuring Lebanon’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has refused to withdraw, saying Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah has been eliminated. (Reuters)



Edited by Azam Khan