world
Israeli Strikes Kill 47 in Lebanon as U.S.-Backed Iran Deal Takes Effect
Israeli air strikes killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 in Lebanon, the health ministry said. An Iran deal signed Thursday calls for an end to hostilities and respect for Lebanon's sovereignty.
SP
AF
AJ
nypost.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Israeli air strikes killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 in Lebanon, the country's health ministry said. The Israel Defense Forces said it struck 80 targets linked to Hezbollah and killed dozens of its members. Nine people died in Harouf, seven in Haboush, and six in al-Duweir, including one child, all in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon.
The health ministry added that more than 3,900 people have been killed and more than 11,600 wounded in Lebanon since the latest conflict began, with around one million people still displaced.
A U.S. official confirmed an Iran deal signed on Thursday that calls for an end to hostilities on all fronts and respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The deal also includes provisions on Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and commits both sides to pursuing a final settlement within 60 days.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the IDF to strike Hezbollah with full force. "Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks," he stated.
Aoun said the expansion of Israeli attacks constituted a dangerous escalation but would not deter efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible. Israel occupies around 5 percent of Lebanon's territory in the south. Vice President JD Vance cancelled his planned trip to Switzerland.
Vance had criticised some members of Netanyahu's cabinet, naming National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as critics of the deal. "If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world," he told reporters.
Hezbollah said it ambushed an Israeli group, destroying three tanks with guided missiles and targeting troops with rocket and artillery fire. The Israel Defense Forces said four of its soldiers were killed by Hezbollah.
