Israel’s military said its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war.
US-Iran Talks Postponed
Talks planned for Friday in Switzerland between Iran and the United States, which Vice President JD Vance had been scheduled to attend, were postponed as the fighting intensified. Mediators worked to reschedule the meetings crucial for starting talks over a permanent end to the Iran war, with much of the attention focused on Lebanon, regional officials said.
The Israeli military also said it struck targets in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley on Friday, with Lebanese media saying the village of Douris was hit. The death toll in Lebanon rose sharply, with at least 18 people killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
US Response
US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, came to Israel’s defense, noting the deaths of the four Israeli soldiers in a post on X. The renewed Israeli attacks in Lebanon came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed.
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday put off his trip to Switzerland where he had been set to lead the talks. The White House blamed logistical issues. Two regional officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks, said mediators were focused on calming the fighting in Lebanon.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
