Israeli airstrikes in the early hours of Friday against multiple towns in southern Lebanon have killed at least 18 people and wounded 33 others, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported, with the deadliest attack hitting Harouf with seven dead and ten wounded, despite a recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding extending a cessation of hostilities to Lebanon.

The Emergency Health Operations Center said the Harouf toll is preliminary. Other strikes targeted Doueir (at least three dead), Al Sharqiyah (three dead, including a Civil Defense member and his family), Al Qatrani and Jesbshit (two dead), and Al Abbasiya (one dead). The ministry described the attacks as “intense” and said they prevented the evacuation of dead and wounded.

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The strikes occurred as resistance militia Hezbollah claimed two attacks against Zionist troops attempting to advance in southern Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes carry out a massive strike targeting the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/X4fBMr1erw

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 19, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian digitally signed a memorandum of understanding that extended hostilities cessation to Lebanon and took effect immediately. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the army will maintain a “security zone” in occupied southern Lebanon and will not withdraw “as long as security needs require it.”

Breaking | Despite a ceasefire in place, Israeli warplanes carry out a series of airstrikes targeting the Bekaa region and southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/1cZkt2SfQR

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) June 19, 2026

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