Key Takeaways
- Israeli forces conducted a series of raids in southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing the mayor of Al‑Rihan and at least two other civilians while striking several towns and a church.
- Hezbollah responded with attacks on Israeli army posts, claiming responsibility for 19 strikes across Friday‑Saturday.
- Iran has linked any prospective U.S.–Iran agreement to a cease‑fire in Lebanon, insisting that the conflict there be resolved as part of the deal.
- Israel’s defense minister said troops will not withdraw from occupied areas and will continue to act against both near and distant threats.
- Lebanese health authorities report 3,756 deaths and 11,632 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2; Israel acknowledges 30 soldiers and 24 civilians killed on its side.
Israeli military operations intensified on Saturday across southern Lebanon, with forces launching heavy fire on multiple districts and carrying out aerial strikes on towns such as Tyre, Jezzine, Nabatiyeh, Seddiqine, Borj Qalaouiyah, Majdal Zoun and Al‑Kanisa. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), a raid in the town of Al‑Rihan resulted in the death of the local mayor, while two additional civilians were killed in separate attacks. NNA also reported that an Israeli strike hit a church, adding to the growing list of civilian infrastructure affected by the offensives. CNN has sought comment from the Israeli military regarding these actions but has not yet received a response.
In retaliation, Hezbollah asserted responsibility for 19 attacks on Israeli army posts between Friday and Saturday, announcing the strikes via its Telegram channel. The group’s statements framed the operations as a direct response to Israeli aggression and emphasized its readiness to continue targeting Israeli positions until its demands are met. Hezbollah’s rhetoric aligns with broader Iranian messaging, which has insisted that any diplomatic arrangement between Washington and Tehran must include a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television on Friday that the memorandum of understanding currently under negotiation between the United States and Iran would encompass a resolution for the Lebanese conflict “and all other fronts.” He added that Tehran is confident it can persuade the United States to accept a cease‑fire in Lebanon as part of the deal.
Israeli officials, however, have shown little inclination to pull back. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli troops would remain stationed in occupied Lebanese territories and would continue to act against both immediate and more distant threats. This stance underscores Israel’s strategy of maintaining a security buffer and pressuring Hezbollah through sustained military presence, despite international calls for de‑escalation.
The human toll of the ongoing exchanges continues to rise. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced on Saturday that Israeli attacks have resulted in 3,756 fatalities and 11,632 injuries since March 2. On the Israeli side, the military reported that 30 of its soldiers have been killed along with 24 civilians in the same period. These figures highlight the severe cost of the conflict for both populations and add urgency to diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the violence.
Overall, the situation remains fluid: while Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah push for a cease‑fire tied to a broader U.S.–Iran accord, Israel insists on maintaining its military footprint and resisting any withdrawal. The competing demands set the stage for continued tension, with civilian casualties mounting on both sides as diplomatic negotiations proceed behind the scenes.