Israeli strikes kill 32 in Lebanon, putting US-Iran talks in peril | US-Israel war on Iran News

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 32 people on Saturday, risking the collapse of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran. According to the Lebanese civil defense and health agencies, the violence persisted despite a renewed ceasefire, complicating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) meeting scheduled for Sunday in Burgenstock, Switzerland.

Why are Israeli strikes continuing despite the ceasefire?

The Israeli military reports that Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at soldiers in southern Lebanon overnight, claiming the armed group is violating the ceasefire. In response, the Lebanese army stated on Saturday that continued Israeli attacks aim to obstruct stability in the country.

Casualties from Saturday’s raids were widespread. The Lebanese civil defence agency reported 16 deaths and 12 injuries in the Nabatieh district. The National News Agency (NNA) confirmed a Lebanese soldier died in Kfar Reman and four family members—a father, mother, and two children—were killed in Barish. Additionally, four people died in a strike on a home in Sohmor, and the Health Emergency Operations Centre reported at least seven deaths in Qanarit.

Did you know? The current diplomatic roadmap includes a requirement for Hezbollah to withdraw to the north of the Litani River, but earlier versions of the agreement did not mandate a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

How does the violence in Lebanon affect US-Iran talks?

Iran views the ceasefire in Lebanon as a “make or break” factor for its diplomatic process with the United States. According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, representatives from the U.S. and Iran, along with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, are scheduled to meet Sunday in Switzerland to discuss a recently signed MOU.

Article 1 of that MOU explicitly links the end of the war in Lebanon to the broader ceasefire arrangement across all regional fronts. Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride reported from Beirut that the “shaky nature” of the ceasefire suggests the entire negotiating process depends on events in Lebanon over the coming weeks.

What is the difference between the government’s goals and Hezbollah’s demands?

The Lebanese government is pursuing a US-backed roadmap to disarm Hezbollah and secure a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. However, Hezbollah has rejected these terms. Ali Fayyad, a Hezbollah representative in parliament, told Iran’s Tasnim news agency that the group rules out a ceasefire while Israeli forces remain on Lebanese soil.

This creates a stark contrast in objectives:

Lebanese Government: Seeking economic recovery and reconstruction through bilateral negotiations with Israel, as suggested by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to President Joseph Aoun.
Hezbollah: Maintaining a “non-negotiable” position that any ceasefire is meaningless while Israeli targeting and assassinations continue.

The human cost remains high. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that attacks since March 2 have killed at least 4,057 people and wounded 12,121 others. On Friday alone, the Ministry stated 83 people died just after the renewed ceasefire was announced.

Pro Tip: When tracking ceasefire updates, distinguish between “bilateral talks” (Lebanon and Israel) and “multilateral talks” (US, Iran, Qatar, Pakistan), as the failure of one often triggers a collapse in the other.

What happens next in the peace process?

The US Department of State has scheduled a new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, DC, for June 23 and 25. These meetings aim to establish a lasting peace, though progress is hampered because Hezbollah is not included in the discussions.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported that a fifth soldier has died since the US-Iran deal was reached. Lebanese MP Najat Aoun Saliba told Al Jazeera that the government is facing significant financial strain and pain, arguing that both Israel and Hezbollah have used Lebanese land to gain leverage in their broader conflict with Iran.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is mediating the US-Iran talks?

According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, mediators from Pakistan and Qatar are facilitating the talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland.

How many people have died in Lebanon since March 2?

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports at least 4,057 deaths and 12,121 wounded since March 2.

Will Hezbollah participate in the Washington talks?

No. Current reports indicate the talks between Israel and Lebanon do not include Hezbollah, which has limited the ability to reach a meaningful agreement.

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