IDF strike kills two in southern Lebanon after truce took effect, medics say

LiveLive Updates June 19, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 19, 2026UpdatesDespite reports of IDF strikes in Lebanon, Israel's U.S. envoy says Jerusalem 'committed' to truce with HezbollahIsrael remains firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire. At 11:30 this morning, Israel halted all offensive operations; Hezbollah and Iranian claims to the contrary are bold lies.

If Hezbollah honors the agreement and ceases its hostilities, they will be met with quiet.Show moreIsrael's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, took to X in a first comment by an Israeli government official to the truce in Lebanon, saying that "Israel remains firmly committed to an immediate cease-fire" with Hezbollah, as local media reports in Lebanon say that the IDF is striking the southern city of Nabatieh al-Fawqa. "At 11:30 this morning, Israel halted all offensive operations; Hezbollah and Iranian claims to the contrary are bold lies. If Hezbollah honors the agreement and ceases its hostilities, they will be met with quiet," he said. "Israel wants our neighbor to the north, Lebanon, with which we have relations dating back to King Solomon and King Hiram, to prosper and enjoy democratic freedoms, and like any normal country, will never compromise on our security. This will only happen when Hezbollah, a murderous Iranian proxy, is destroyed.""Israel is in the security zone in southern Lebanon to rid the area of Hezbollah and dismantle its terror infrastructure. We will remain there until that mission is accomplished," he said. Report: Netanyahu is 'likely' to sabotage Iran deal, U.S. intelligence officials tell TrumpNetanyahu at a press conference on Monday. Credit: Olivier FitoussiNetanyahu at a press conference on Monday. Credit: Olivier FitoussiThe Trump administration has been warned by U.S. intelligence agencies that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "likely to take steps" that will sabotage the efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement with Iran, U.S. officials told The Washington Post.According to one of the officials, the U.S. intelligence report assesses that, ahead of Israel's October elections, Netanyahu's political survival is tied to demonstrating to his supporters that he will not withdraw IDF troops from Lebanon and remains committed to intensifying the campaign against Hezbollah.The report added that Israel's dissatisfaction with the terms of the memorandum signed with Iran complicates Netanyahu's objective of maintaining maximum pressure on Tehran, the sources said.In addition, the assessment presented to Trump noted that any suspension of hostilities or withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon would likely be perceived in Israel as a political defeat for Netanyahu.Even if Israel does not escalate fighting in Lebanon, its refusal to withdraw troops from the country's south is likely to jeopardize the fragile U.S.-Iran accord, a second U.S. official said."Continuing to occupy part of Lebanon is a recipe for disaster," the official said. "Without a full Israeli withdrawal, the likelihood of resumed hostilities... is all but certain."Read the full articleHezbollah revised military doctrine, combat tactics; remains committed to resistance, group leader saysHezbollah chief Naim Qassem, in 2024. Credit: AFP/Al-ManarHezbollah chief Naim Qassem, in 2024. Credit: AFP/Al-ManarHezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said the group had revised its military doctrine and combat tactics based on lessons learned from the war with Israel, while enhancing its capabilities in weapons systems and drones.Qassem also said Hezbollah had maintained the cohesion of its support base and preserved its alliance with the Amal Movement, adding that the group remains committed to what he described as the "path of resistance."Addressing Israel, Qassem said that "the plan to eliminate Hezbollah and entrench the Israeli occupation has failed," and asserted that Israel would eventually be forced to withdraw "from every centimeter of Lebanese territory."He added that Hezbollah continues to uphold what he called its "right to defend Lebanon and liberate its land."Opinion | Four centuries after Sabbatai Zevi, the Jewish people have a new false messiahSabbatai Zevi, a 17th-century mystic, and a golden statue of Prime Minister Netanyahu placed in front of Tel Aviv City Hall by an artist, prompting passersby to try and topple it, in 2016. Credit: Wikicommons; AP Photo/Oded BaliltySabbatai Zevi, a 17th-century mystic, and a golden statue of Prime Minister Netanyahu placed in front of Tel Aviv City Hall by an artist, prompting passersby to try and topple it, in 2016. Credit: Wikicommons; AP Photo/Oded Balilty2026 is a perfect time to discuss false messiahs. Not only because of the next elections, but also because this year marks significant anniversaries in the history of Jews in distress rallying behind a charismatic, perhaps sociopathic, leader, who ultimately inflicted great harm on our people.What is surprising about false messiahs is not their ability to attract believers. What is harder to comprehend is how, even after it becomes obvious to any reasonable observer that their promises are empty and that they cause harm rather than provide solutions, there remain people convinced that only they, the self-appointed chosen ones, possess miraculous answers capable of saving the nation from its troubles.In 1626, exactly 400 years ago, Sabbatai Zevi was born in the Ottoman Empire. With the help of Nathan of Gaza, who possessed extraordinary marketing abilities, he persuaded large segments of the Jewish world that he was the Messiah. Among the traits that impressed his followers was his contempt for established rules. For example, the Torah should be read from an ordinary book rather than a handwritten leather scroll. Ancient laws were not for him; breaking them supposedly demonstrated his unique status. Read the full articleIran says Switzerland meeting possible in the coming days, resumption of IAEA access to attacked sites depends on negotiationsIran's Foreign Ministry said the meeting in Switzerland scheduled for Friday has been postponed, with plans underway to hold talks in the coming days.The ministry added that the memorandum of understanding with the United States on ending the war had already been signed digitally, making the Switzerland meeting no longer urgent.The ministry also said that negotiations on a final deal will depend on the continued implementation of the terms outlined in the memorandum with Washington.According to the ministry, inspections on nuclear facilities, including Bushehr, will continue and the resumption of IAEA access to some attacked sites will depend on negotiations. In the NewsReport: Netanyahu 'Likely' to Sabotage Iran Deal, U.S. Officials Tell TrumpTop Elections Official Tells Ben-Gvir to Take Down Gaza Flotilla Activists VideoAfter It Won the Qualifiers, Iran Now Seeks a Path to the Final on Its Own TermsIsrael, Hezbollah Agree to Cease-fire in Lebanon, Israeli Official SaysTrump's Iran Deal Castrates Netanyahu, but It's Still Catastrophic for IsraelRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHumiliated by Trump on the Iran Front, Netanyahu May Set the Middle East Ablaze'Once-in-a-lifetime Discovery': 1,700-year-old Roman Busts Found in IsraelTrump and Netanyahu Hurtling Toward a Rupture That Could Shock U.S.-Israel TiesNetanyahu's Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli IngratitudeIsrael Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West BankFork Found in Kitchen: Israelis Have Discovered the Occupation