Israel struck targets across southern Lebanon overnight

(Patria) - The Israeli army announced on Friday that its forces struck targets across southern Lebanon overnight, while Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the agreement between Iran and the United States to end the war.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, which the Israeli army said were ongoing.

The continuation of fighting in Lebanon could destroy the newly signed agreement, which calls for an immediate cessation of military operations "on all fronts, including Lebanon," where Israel is fighting against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, and for ensuring the "territorial integrity and sovereignty" of Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has refused to withdraw, saying Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah is eliminated.

The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States on their efforts to achieve a lasting end to the war with Iran were postponed.