Israeli strikes hit Lebanon hours after ceasefire begins

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group was tested by renewed violence just hours after it took effect on Friday, June 19, 2026, casting doubt on a broader U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at halting regional hostilities. The truce, brokered by U.S. and Qatari mediators, was announced following a day of intense fighting that killed dozens in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.

The ceasefire, which a U.S. official said began at 4 p.m. local time on Friday, was intended to halt months of escalating cross-border violence. However, reports of Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in southern Lebanon emerged shortly after the truce was to take hold. An Israeli military official stated the strikes were a response to more than 50 projectiles launched overnight by Hezbollah at Israeli forces, which Israel said constituted repeated violations of the agreement.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported Israeli strikes hit multiple locations, including the southern town of Barish, where a residential building was struck, killing a family of four. The Lebanese army said another strike killed a soldier. Lebanese health authorities state that over 4,000...