Israel, Hezbollah clash overnight

Fresh clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continued overnight, with Iran carrying out airstrikes on Lebanon and the armed group firing rockets into Israel, prompting emergency alerts in several areas, including Tel Aviv.

Lebanon’s alleged status in a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States is a source of contention, raising tensions ahead of peace talks scheduled for this weekend in Pakistan.

• Israel says it has struck sites in Lebanon overnight from which it believes Hezbollah is firing rockets.
• The Iran-backed group, on the other hand, says it has fired rockets at several areas in Israel.
• The fresh clashes come as US President Trump has signaled a reduction in Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
• More than 300 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon on Wednesday.

A statement attributed to the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was broadcast on Iranian state TV, saying that Iran “reserves the right to retaliate” for attacks by the United States and Israel on its country and its allies.