Israel Launches Strikes on Lebanon Amid Disputes Over U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Inclusion

Israel launched a barrage of at least 100 strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting sites associated with Hezbollah in Beirut and other areas. The attacks killed 203 people and injured 890, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Rescue operations continued overnight in the capital, where strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods.

U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, which Iranian and Lebanese officials claim included Lebanon. U.S. Vice President JD Vance described the disagreement as a legitimate misunderstanding. Israel maintains that the truce does not cover its operations against Hezbollah.

Global leaders condemned the strikes on Thursday. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the escalation deeply damaging and urged an end to hostilities. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot labeled the attacks intolerable and insisted Lebanon must be covered by the truce.

The strikes marked the deadliest day of the current conflict, with over 250 deaths in Lebanon since the ceasefire began, including 90 in Beirut, per the Lebanese Civil Defense Directorate.

More than one million people have been displaced since Israel's campaign started last month. A national day of mourning was declared in Lebanon on Thursday.

“— Adam Nsouli, nurse at American University Hospital in Beirut, Thursday (NBC News)”

Hospitals in Beirut treated numerous casualties, including orphaned children. Humanitarian workers reported blasts in civilian areas, exacerbating the crisis. Iranian officials vowed strong responses if attacks continue. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated there is no room for denial on the ceasefire's scope.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh called the strikes a grave violation and messaged the U.S. that it cannot benefit from the truce while allowing the assaults.

campaign in Lebanon began last month following Hezbollah strikes on northern Israel, which were in retaliation for a joint attack on Iran and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Israel Defense Forces targeted Hezbollah headquarters, military sites, and command centers, many located in civilian areas.

Hezbollah accused Israel of using civilians as shields, a claim Israel has repeated in its Gaza operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that strikes on Hezbollah would continue until security is restored to northern Israel. On Thursday, new attacks were launched, prompting Hezbollah retaliation against northern Israel.

The group stated its response would persist until attacks on Lebanon cease. Israel aims to establish a security zone in southern Lebanon, destroying homes and bridges, including across the Litani River. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated displaced southern Lebanese residents cannot return until Israeli safety is guaranteed.

Many fled to Beirut, where they faced further strikes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a mediator, explicitly included Lebanon in the truce, according to Iranian sources. U.S. officials denied this inclusion. The escalation threatens the ceasefire's stability, with nearly 2,000 total deaths in Lebanon from Israel's assaults. >

"Continued attacks on Lebanon will bring explicit costs and strong responses."

“— Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Parliamentary Speaker, Thursday (NBC News)”

Hezbollah's actions have included killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. Fears grow over a potential invasion modeled on Israel's Gaza offensive.