Israel Strikes Lebanon Despite Ceasefire, Killing 14

Israel has continued striking south Lebanon despite an April 17 ceasefire mediated by US President Donald Trump, with at least 14 people killed in Israeli airstrikes on May 25 alone. The attacks come as Iran pledged to maintain its support for Hezbollah, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sending a message to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem indicating Tehran "will not give up its support" for the militant group. A Lebanese army barracks in Nabatieh was also struck, wounding a soldier, though Israel's military stated it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and not the Lebanese army. The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed 3,123 people since March 2, when Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the war by firing rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Lebanese authorities have insisted that their ongoing talks with Israel under US auspices must remain independent from Iran-US negotiations, which Trump announced had been "largely negotiated." Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem expressed hope in a televised address marking the 2000 Israeli withdrawal anniversary that a potential US-Iran agreement would extend to include Lebanon, stating "we too will be among those included in this agreement." However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu communicated to Trump that "Israel will maintain freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon," while MK Benny Gantz described including Lebanon in any deal as a "strategic mistake." Security talks between Lebanon and Israel are scheduled at the Pentagon for May 29, with a fourth round of negotiations planned for June 2-3, though Hezbollah has vehemently rejected direct talks, charging that Washington "is not an honest broker." Hezbollah has refused to disarm despite heavy losses, arguing that its weapons are an internal Lebanese matter and that disarmament would mean "annihilation" for the group. The organization remains entrenched in its position that the weapons represent Lebanese defensive capabilities. US sanctions have also targeted Lebanese military officials, including one accused of sharing information with Hezbollah, prompting Lebanon's military to stress soldiers' loyalty to the institution. Israeli troops continue operating inside an Israeli-announced "yellow line" running approximately 10 kilometers deep along Lebanon's southern border, with both sides maintaining attacks despite the ceasefire framework. More than 3,100 people have been killed, over 9,500 injured, and 1.6 million displaced since the conflict escalated in March.