The United States and Iran have signaled that they are close to reaching a deal to end the Middle East war, a development that could also encompass Lebanon, which was drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of its Iranian patron. However, the prospect of a ceasefire was threatened on Saturday by renewed Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which came in response to a rocket fired by Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces reported late Saturday that it had detected launches from Lebanon toward Israeli settlements and that its Air Force intercepted a rocket fired by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon. No injuries were reported.
In retaliation, the Israeli military said it struck more than 70 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites over the past 24 hours.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli airstrikes hit several areas, particularly around the southern city of Nabatieh. An Agence France-Presse photojournalist in the area heard blasts near Kfar Remman and saw smoke rising from Kfar Tebnit.
The Lebanese army later said one of its soldiers was severely wounded by an Israeli drone on the road between Kfar Remman and Nabatieh. The NNA also reported that an Israeli strike killed a local official in Rihan, in the southern Jezzine region.
Hezbollah, which has maintained attacks on Israeli troops, said its fighters launched drone attacks on Israeli military vehicles in the south and thwarted an overnight infiltration attempt by Israeli forces near Kfar Tebnit. Clashes were also reported near Majdal Zoun, closer to the border with Israel.
The Israeli military also intercepted a suspicious aerial target that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.
Later on Saturday, fresh strikes hit two areas in Lebanon's eastern Baalbek region, according to the NNA. The city of Nabatieh was reported to be almost deserted, with artillery shelling heard overnight and on Saturday.
The escalating violence comes as diplomatic efforts to secure a broader ceasefire continue, with the U.S. and Iran indicating a deal is imminent.