Israeli forces carried out fresh airstrikes and artillery shelling across southern Lebanon early Monday, despite a newly finalized memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities throughout the region, including in Lebanon.
According to Lebanese media reports, Israeli warplanes launched two airstrikes targeting the town of Majdal Zoun, while a drone struck areas around Kfar Tebnit. No immediate information was available on casualties or the extent of the damage.
The aerial attacks were accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment targeting the city of Nabatieh and the nearby towns of Kfar Remman, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and Kfar Tebnit. Additional reports said Israeli forces also carried out strikes on the southern Lebanese towns of Khiam and Markaba, while another drone attack targeted Haris in the Bint Jbeil district.
Hezbollah said it continued responding to what it described as ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon.
Amid the continued fighting, Lebanon's Civil Defense of the Islamic Health Authority urged residents not to return to evacuated villages until a ceasefire is officially announced and implemented by the relevant authorities. The agency also advised residents to avoid traveling at night and to verify that roads and affected areas are safe before returning home.
The latest escalation comes despite Tehran and Washington finalizing the text of a memorandum designed to end the conflict, according to Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The agreement is expected to establish an immediate and permanent ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, while also ending the US naval blockade of Iran. A formal signing ceremony is reportedly scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 19.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said negotiations on a broader agreement covering Tehran's nuclear program, the lifting of sanctions, and the termination of UN resolutions will begin only after the other parties fulfill their commitments, including the release of frozen Iranian assets. He added that Iran's obligations under the framework remain limited and stressed that the country's armed forces remain fully prepared to respond to any threats.