IDF launches large wave of strikes against Hezbollah after killing of 4 Israeli soldiers & constant attacks

The Israeli Air Force carried out a large wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets overnight – including deep within Lebanese territory – in response to attacks that killed five Israeli soldiers and wounded dozens of others over the past two days.

The Iranian regime used the retaliatory strikes as a pretext to postpone the first round of talks under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States, which was scheduled for Friday morning.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf said on Friday, “We are steadfast in fulfilling the conditions and red lines set, and in achieving the interests of the Iranian nation.”

“If the enemy seeks to be excessive, we have proven that our fingers are on the trigger and we have no hesitation in giving a crushing response to the enemy,” he told the official Iranian news agency, IRNA.

⭕️WATCH: A Hezbollah launcher firing rockets toward IDF soldiers

In response to Hezbollah’s repeated & blatant ceasefire violations, the IDF struck 2 Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley, 80+ terror targets in southern Lebanon and eliminated dozens of Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/NntfHM87vd

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2026

Despite the ceasefire ostensibly binding Hezbollah as well, the group has instead stepped up its attacks, specifically targeting IDF troops in southern Lebanon.

Early Friday morning, an IDF tank was hit by an unidentified projectile near the village of Tebnit, killing Lt.-Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon and three other soldiers.

Ben Simhon was the commander of the 52nd Armored Battalion and of the tank. Unlike in previous incidents, the IDF did not respond only with artillery fire but instead launched several airstrikes in the city of Nabatieh and other areas of southern Lebanon.

‼️ ANOTHER BLATANT CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: As a result of an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon, an IDF reserve officer was severely injured, and 3 reserve NCOs & an NCO were lightly injured.

This incident follows numerous blatant ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. Just… https://t.co/I0LgRUk8sH

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2026

In another incident overnight, an IDF reserve officer was seriously wounded, while three reserve non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and one career-service NCO were lightly wounded by a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, an explosive device killed one soldier and wounded seven others, including an IDF colonel.

Despite already being under pressure from the U.S. not to escalate the situation in Lebanon, and, in particular, not to strike outside of southern Lebanon, the Israeli military launched a broad wave of airstrikes in response, hitting over 80 targets and killing “dozens” of terrorists.

In strikes that could trigger a particularly strong response from Iran and U.S. forces, the IDF “struck two Hezbollah command centers in the Bekaa Valley, while Hezbollah terrorists were operating inside.” The valley is situated deep within Lebanese territory, housing numerous strategically important weapon caches and the terror group's headquarters.

The IDF is deployed in the Security Zone, ~10 km inside Lebanese territory, due to operational requirements.

IDF soldiers will continue to remove threats and strengthen the defense of Israel’s northern residents. pic.twitter.com/jQQPCSAeIe

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 18, 2026

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed there would be no "harm to our soldiers and our civilians, and any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah will be met with great force.”

In its statement, the IDF noted that strikes, including those outside the Israeli-held security zone, “were conducted in response to the Hezbollah terrorist organization's repeated, ongoing, and blatant violations of the ceasefire.”

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “restore security and prosperity to the communities of the north,” where residents have lived for months amid stringent defensive guidelines and daily attacks by Hezbollah.

Despite Iranian claims that the MOU with the U.S. calls for Israel to withdraw its troops, Netanyahu reiterated that it requires “maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon. It requires that we do not leave it as long as Israel’s security needs demand it—because this zone separates Hezbollah terrorists from our citizens and our communities.”

Here’s your reminder of how Hezbollah is “upholding the ceasefire” in the last couple of days:

💥 June 17th:
10:15 - 1 IED
10:57 - 2 Explosive UAVs
12:35 - 9 Rockets
12:37 - 2 Rockets
12:51 - 1 Missile
12:56 - 2 Rockets
13:04 - 6 Rockets
16:53 - 2 Rockets
17:31 - 3…

— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) June 18, 2026

Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, affirmed that Israel is committed to the ceasefire, but added, “If Hezbollah does not violate the agreement, it will be kept. Under all circumstances, Israel retains its right to respond to attacks against it and to thwart threats to its territory, citizens and soldiers.”

On Friday, a source within the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, the main mediator for the MOU, told Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Israeli strikes are a major challenge to the agreement and that the U.S. would need to pressure Israel to halt its “bombing campaign” and withdraw its troops.

The Iranian regime-affiliated Nour News Agency stated on Friday, “The cancellation of the talks in Switzerland is significant, but the larger question is whether the United States can compel Israel to comply with the commitments of the agreement.”

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot appeared to agree with Iran and Pakistan that Israel is to blame for the impasse, calling on the U.S. to pressure Israel to stop its attacks.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee replied, “Does France get all its info from Hezbollah? Last night, Israel had 4 of its soldiers killed. Israel strikes when struck as [Leiter] brings FACTS. Ceasefire happens when Hezbollah stops shooting & killing.”

The death of Ben Simhon and the increased attacks by Hezbollah triggered harsh responses from Israeli politicians, just hours before the start of the Sabbath.

Ben Simhon was married and the father of two daughters. He enlisted in the 401st Brigade alongside his four brothers, with another brother enlisted in the Golani Brigade.

The news of his death reached his wife as she was serving as a combat officer in the Combat Intelligence Collection and Border Defense Corps in the same area.

“A difficult morning,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, quoting “and Aaron was silent” from Leviticus 10:3, referring to Aaron’s reaction after the death of his sons.

This is “a time to speak through fire. To open the gates of hell,” he urged.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded with even sharper words, demanding that “for every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!”

“With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn. Our supreme duty is to protect the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and this commitment takes precedence over every other consideration,” he wrote on 𝕏.