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47 killed, 97 hurt in Israeli strikes on south and east Lebanon since midnight

Israeli airstrikes and bombardments killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 others in Lebanon on Friday, according to the latest updated toll from the Lebanese health ministry.

The dead included at least seven women and two children and the figures were released as a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was due to start.

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Iran FM says Israel wants 'permanent war' after 'Lebanon must burn' comment

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel on Friday of wanting "permanent war" following remarks from its far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir saying "all Lebanon must burn" after four Israeli soldiers were killed there.

"This is not a rant by a random genocidal lunatic. It's a public post by the national security minister of the Israeli regime. The genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv is a threat to all of humanity. It threatens all humans. Its only interest is permanent war," Araghchi said on X.

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US tells Iran that Israel won't further escalate in Lebanon

The U.S. has "relayed" to Iran that Israel will not further escalate its attacks in Lebanon as the Trump administration seeks to get high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran back on track, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

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Aoun says Israeli escalation undermines ceasefire

President Joseph Aoun on Friday condemned the latest Israeli strikes on eastern and southern Lebanon, saying the "killing and destruction constitutes a dangerous escalation".

"It effectively targets all ongoing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and end the war," a statement from the presidency said, after Israeli attacks in the south and east killed at least 18 people.

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Iran tells Hezbollah US talks impossible without comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon

Iran has informed Hezbollah that it will not continue the negotiations with the US without a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said.

Israel’s military struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight into Friday and Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war. Lebanese media reported at least 18 people killed in the strikes, and Israel said four soldiers died, vowing to make Hezbollah pay a heavy price.

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Trump says can stop Israel in Lebanon: They respect me and do as I say

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he can restrain Israel from attacking Lebanon.

"They have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say," he told an interviewer on a televised show.

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Hezbollah says will 'defend their land, people' against Israeli attacks

Hezbollah vowed to defend Lebanon's territory and people against Israeli attacks on Friday, accusing its foe of violating a ceasefire as fighting flared.

"The Islamic Resistance will remain vigilant against any aggression. Its fighters will defend their land and people," the Iran-backed group said in a statement, refuting Israeli accusations that it had violated the truce, and instead insisting "the enemy has never complied with any ceasefire agreement".

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Netanyahu says Israel will make Hezbollah pay 'heavy price' for soldiers killed

The Israeli military said strikes were ongoing on Friday after four of its soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in an attack on a tank in a village near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. An explosive drone attack wounded another five, it added.

Israel then launched multiple strikes against "Hezbollah infrastructure sites" in Nabatiyeh and other areas, according to a military statement, which accused the militant group of "blatant ceasefire violations."

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Mediators focus on Lebanon as escalation drives Iran from talks

Israel's military said Friday its forces struck targets throughout southern and eastern Lebanon overnight into Friday as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war.

Talks planned for Friday in Switzerland between Iran and the United States, which Vice President JD Vance had been scheduled to attend, found themselves postponed as the fighting intensified. Mediators worked to reschedule the meetings crucial for starting talks over a permanent end to the Iran war, with much of the attention focused on Lebanon, regional officials said.

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Israel strikes Bekaa after 4 soldiers killed in south Lebanon

Israel's military said Friday it had struck Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon after an attack killed four of its soldiers.

"A short time ago, in response to repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah, which continues to prepare and carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers, the army struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Bekaa Valley," the military said in a statement.

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