Overnight Israeli airstrikes and ground clashes in southern Lebanon killed at least 18 Lebanese civilians and four Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander, according to official statements from both sides. The violence erupted despite a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran that was intended to halt hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, and came hours after US Vice President JD Vance publicly rebuked Israeli officials for criticising the deal.

According to the Israeli military, the strikes targeted Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in the Nabatieh governorate in response to what it described as repeated and ongoing violations of the truce by the Iran-backed group. Hezbollah, in its own statements, said it had ambushed an Israeli armoured and infantry force attempting to advance on the Ali al-Taher hill, destroying three Merkava tanks with guided missiles and later striking a second force that tried to recover casualties. Israeli media reported that the four soldiers were killed when their tank was hit near the village of Kfar Tebnit, with investigations under way to determine whether a drone or a guided missile was used.

Within Israel, the losses triggered immediate calls for a massive military response. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared that “Lebanon must burn entirely,” while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded that Israel “open the gates of hell.” Israeli news site Walla reported that the security establishment is debating options ranging from intensified strikes in the south to wide-scale attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. An adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Axios that Israel does not consider itself bound by the Lebanon clause of the US-Iran memorandum and will not withdraw from areas it controls in the south until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.

Viewed from Washington, the escalation threatens to unravel a diplomatic framework that the administration presented as a path to regional calm. Vice President Vance warned that attacking the US, Israel’s “only remaining strong ally,” was counterproductive, while Axios reported that Iranian demands concerning Lebanon had delayed Vance’s planned trip to Switzerland for further talks. Lebanese health authorities put the initial toll at 18 dead and 33 wounded, with other sources citing up to 24 fatalities after strikes hit residential buildings, a motorcycle, and other civilian sites in multiple villages. The Israeli military described the overnight fighting as “difficult and complex” and said operations were continuing. The dossier remains open, with Israeli political and military leaders weighing their next steps and US-led diplomatic channels still active.