Israel's new clashes with Hezbollah loom over US-Iran deal
06/20/2026 June 20, 2026 More deaths reported in Lebanon Lebanon's state-run NNA agency reported that seven people, including at least one soldier and two children
06/20/2026 June 20, 2026 More deaths reported in Lebanon Lebanon's state-run NNA agency reported that seven people, including at least one soldier and two children, were killed as the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continued on Saturday despite the truce announced on Friday. The NNA also reported Israeli airstrikes and explosions at different locations in southern Lebanon.
The persistent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah puts pressure on their respective allies, the US and Iran, as they pursue a peace framework for the Iran war. A similar flareup on Friday was enough to postpone scheduled talks between US Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian leaders in the Swiss Alps.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Israel foresees an end to the fighting in Lebanon and calls for respecting Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel and Hezbollah, however, are not parties to the deal. Yesterday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said IDF forces will stay in Lebanon "as long as necessary," seemingly defying pressure from Tehran and its ally the US to wrap up the conflict.
While the news of a ceasefire broke just hours later, Israel is now accusing Hezbollah, which considered a terror group by the US, Germany and other countries, of "blatant" ceasefire violations.
The BriefWire