Israel strikes southern Lebanon as Hezbollah condemns new deal

Israel strikes southern Lebanon as Hezbollah condemns new deal Image source, ReutersImage caption, Israel says its forces are preparing for an "extended stay" in southern Lebanon ByNeil MurphyPublished27 June 2026, 18:54 BSTUpdated 13 minutes agoIsraeli air strikes in Lebanon have killed one person, the country's health ministry said, a day after the two countries signed a deal aimed at paving the way to a lasting peace.Lebanon's state news agency said an Israeli drone hit the southern town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and later reported further strikes in the area, with at least two more people wounded.The Israeli military said it carried out the drone strike on an individual who posed a threat ⁠to its forces, without providing details.The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group - which was not involved in negotiating Friday's US-brokered agreement - rejected it and accused the Beirut government of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement reached in Washington "historic" and "a blow to Iran and Hezbollah".Under the four-point framework, Israel will withdraw its forces from the South Litani area, with the Lebanese army taking exclusive control of the vacated territory. But Israeli forces are permitted to remain in an expanded security area in southern Lebanon.On Saturday Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem accused the Lebanese government of making damaging concessions."The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty. This agreement is null and void," he said.Qassem criticised provisions linking Israel's withdrawal to the group's disarmament, saying ‌they crossed "all red lines".He accused Lebanese authorities of committing a "grave blunder" which "may even lead to the annexation of these lands", and vowed that Hezbollah would continue its armed resistance.Later on Saturd...