Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon just hours after agreeing to a ceasefire with the militant group Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of five people, according to reports from Lebanon's state-run NAA news agency, cited by AFP and Reuters on June 20.
Israeli forces used fighter jets and drones to target around ten locations in the Nabatiyeh area early that morning.
The strikes killed three people in Arab Salim, one in Deir Zahani, and another in Dweir, where a drone attacked a motorcycle.
Despite signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire with the United States and Iran on June 17, Israel continued its air operations against Lebanon.
The MOU states that "an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations is declared on all fronts, including Lebanon."
Iran has condemned the Israeli strikes as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, leading to delays in subsequent negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Under pressure from the U.S., Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. and Qatar on June 19, which took effect at 4 p.m. local time that day.
However, the renewed airstrikes by Israel raised concerns that they could impact the timeline for post-ceasefire negotiations.
The U.S. and Iran were scheduled to hold their first working-level negotiations this weekend in Switzerland to discuss Iran's nuclear issues and sanctions relief, but the schedule has not yet been finalized.
According to Axios, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has resumed preparations for the negotiations, traveling to Switzerland.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on June 19 that plans are being established to hold negotiations in the coming days.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.