Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon as Hezbollah Clashes Intensify

The renewed violence came as U.S. officials imposed fresh sanctions on Hezbollah-linked figures and businesses.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on June 12, 2026. Abbas Fakih/AFP via Getty Images

Israel said on June 19 that it carried out strikes across southern Lebanon overnight. Lebanese health officials reported at least 18 people killed and 33 wounded.

The escalation came as planned U.S.–Iran talks in Switzerland were postponed, delaying diplomatic efforts tied to a broader agreement aimed at ending the conflict and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz.