On June 17, Israeli airstrikes targeted two cars in the town of Mayfadoun, Nabatieh province, southern Lebanon, killing at least four people, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). A third vehicle was also attacked in the village of Shoukin.
The strikes come amid fragile ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the United States, with Pakistan acting as a mediator. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that any ceasefire agreement must include an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Pakistan's prime minister, one of the mediators, said on June 16 that the deal is expected to include an immediate ceasefire "on all fronts, including Lebanon." However, the final text of the agreement has not been released.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on June 17 that Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the agreement, adding: "If Israeli forces do not withdraw from the territories they have occupied in this war, then the war is not truly over."
Iran's lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, spoke by phone with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, urging the United States to compel Israel to end the war with Lebanon, stop destroying homes, and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.
Shortly after the Iran-U.S. deal was announced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would continue to occupy southern Lebanon.
According to Reuters, Lebanon's Hezbollah group said it had received assurances from Iran that Tehran would demand Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in the next phase of negotiations with the U.S.
Since hostilities resumed on March 2, at least 3,826 people have been killed and 11,851 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to the country's health ministry.
