Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement

What Happened

Less than 24 hours after a US-announced ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, cross-border strikes persisted. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people in southern Lebanon, according to local officials: 16 in the Nabatieh district and 7 in Saida, including a family of four in Barich. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck 'dozens' of Hezbollah targets in response to over 50 projectiles launched at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah senior official Hassan Fadlallah told the BBC that Hezbollah does not recognise the ceasefire and rejects any Israeli freedom to operate in Lebanon, asserting the group's right to respond to attacks. The US government criticised Israel's ongoing operations, warning they could undermine the US-Iran peace deal, and US envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly heading to Switzerland for initial talks with Iran. Earlier, Lebanon\'s health ministry said 47 people were killed and 97 wounded in Israeli air strikes, while the IDF said four of its soldiers were killed. The violence leaves key disputes unresolved, including Israel\'s military presence in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah\'s weapons.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The continued violence tests the fragility of the US-brokered ceasefire and risks derailing the broader US-Iran peace deal, which includes a commitment to end fighting on all fronts including Lebanon. The core disputes—Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah's weapons—remain unresolved, prolonging displacement for around one million people and the destruction of dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, while both sides refuse to recognise the agreement's constraints.

Watch For

Monitor US envoy Witkoff's talks with Iran in Switzerland for potential de-escalation or enforcement mechanisms; whether Hezbollah halts cross-border attacks or Israel withdraws forces from Lebanon as implied by the ceasefire; any further Israeli ground advances or settler-related violence; domestic pressure on Netanyahu; and diplomatic reactions that could escalate or solidify the truce.