Danger of new clash between Israel and Hezbollah over US-Iran agreement looms

The death toll in Lebanon continued to rise on Saturday, with the country’s civil protection agency reporting that 16 people had been killed in ongoing Israeli attacks on the Nabatieh district.

According to the agency, rescue workers have been working “since the morning” and 12 other injured people have been transported to hospital.

The increase came after Israel and Hezbollah reportedly agreed to a ceasefire that was due to come into effect on Friday afternoon.

Lebanon’s state-run NNA agency reported that despite Friday’s declaration of force, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continued on Saturday, killing at least one soldier and seven people, including two children. The NNA also reported Israeli airstrikes and explosions at various locations in southern Lebanon.

The continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah puts pressure on their respective allies, the US and Iran, as they attempt a peace framework for the Iran war. A similar flare-up on Friday was enough to postpone scheduled talks between US Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian leaders in the Swiss Alps.

The memorandum of understanding between the US and Israel calls for an end to the fighting in Lebanon and calls for respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to this agreement.

Yesterday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said IDF forces would remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary”, rejecting pressure from Tehran and its ally the US to end the conflict. While news of the ceasefire broke just hours later, Israel is now accusing Hezbollah, which the US, Germany and other countries consider a terrorist group, of “gross” ceasefire violations.

The Israeli military confirmed it was shelling Lebanon on Saturday, but accused Hezbollah of the latest ceasefire breach.

“Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization fired more than 50 shells at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon,” news agency AFP quoted an IDF military officer as saying.

In response, Israel is striking “Hezbollah terrorist targets,” the official said.

Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon, is both an Iran-backed Shia militia and a political party in the religiously diverse country. Also on Saturday, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said that his group has the right to respond to Israeli attacks.

“For us, what concerns us is that the enemy fully and comprehensively respects the ceasefire, and does not try to attack our country and villages or occupy any new positions,” Fadlallah said in a statement. “When this enemy attacks us, the resistance has every right to confront it, because it is the aggressor and the occupier,” he said.

With US-Iran talks in Switzerland still in doubt, Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was traveling to Tehran on Saturday.

According to the report, Naqvi is scheduled to meet “high-ranking Iranian officials” and “monitor the progress of talks” with the United States.

Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator in the current conflict, with Naqvi visiting Iran several times since the war began in late February.

In his latest visit earlier this week, Naqvi met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Israel launched a new round of attacks against targets in southern Lebanon overnight, killing five, according to Lebanese news agency NNA.

The government agency reported that Israeli forces used jets, drones and artillery against residential buildings. The Israeli military, or Israel Defense Forces, did not immediately comment.

The news comes just hours after Israel agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanon-based Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

Any renewed fighting in Lebanon could threaten US and Iranian efforts to restart the peace process in Switzerland.

US diplomat Steve Witkoff, who serves as Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, is heading to Switzerland, where he is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, US media reported on Saturday.

The conversation came after US Vice President JD Vance canceled his visit on Friday.

Washington and Tehran were hoping for the implementation of the memorandum of understanding to end the Iran war. Those plans were disrupted by renewed fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Hezbollah has been declared a terrorist group by Israel, Germany, the US and many other countries.

It was unclear whether Vance was also traveling to Switzerland on Saturday. However, reports indicate that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who was also the White House envoy to the Middle East, will participate in the renewed talks.

Join us as the United States and Iran move to save Switzerland peace talks after talks were postponed on Friday amid heavy fighting in Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia have since declared a ceasefire. However, the latest reports indicate more Israeli airstrikes.

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is also reportedly expected to attend the talks in Switzerland.

We’ll be bringing you the latest updates, videos and expert analysis on the conflict in the Middle East throughout the day.