Hezbollah attack kills Israeli soldier,
wounds 13 commando troops
June 20th, 10:51pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon killed an Israeli
commando soldier and wounded 13 others, a day after
four Israeli troops, including a battalion commander,
were killed ...in a separate strike.
An Israeli soldier was killed and 13 others were wounded
overnight on Saturday - after Hezbollah targeted Israeli
occupation forces attempting to advance in southern
Lebanon, according to the Israeli military command.
The Israeli military identified the killed soldier
as a Sergeant First Class and member of the
Commando Brigade's Maglan unit.
According to an Israeli military investigation, the attack
took place at around 1:30 am - when a barrage of
rockets and an explosive drone - struck Israeli
special forces near the Lebanese village of
Kfar Tebnit, in the Nabatieh district.
Forces in the region attempted multiple infiltration into the
Ali al-Taher Ridge, attempted to occupy the strategic
areas in southern Lebanon. However, their
attempted advances have failed - and
resulted in heavy casualties.
The strike killed the soldier and wounded 13 other troops,
including two in a serious condition, one moderately
wounded, and ten.. lightly injured. Israeli media
reported that the Deputy Commander of the
Commando Brigade... was among those
wounded in the attack.
Four Israeli soldiers killed in
an earlier Hezbollah strike
The latest casualties come, a day after another major
Resistance operation in southern Lebanon,.. killed
four Israeli troops, including a senior armoured
corps commander. Late on Saturday, the
military command.... identified two of
the killed soldiers.
Eralier, the Israeli military confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel
Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, 32, the commander of the 52nd
Battalion of the 401st Armoured Brigade, was killed
alongside three members of his crew, after their
tank was struck ---- during operations near
Kfar Tebnit.
Among the soldiers identified were Staff Sergeants.
The identity of the fourth soldier, has not yet
been released by the military.
An Israeli military probe determined that the tank had been
directly hit by Hezbollah fire, either through a drone strike,
or an anti-tank missile. The tank had also been operating
near the Ali al-Taher Ridge.
The successive attacks mark some of the deadliest blows
sustained by Israeli occupation forces in southern
Lebanon in recent days, as confrontations
between Hezbollah and Israeli troops
continue across the border region.
Source: Israeli media
___________________________________________
Iran Parliament speaker vows fidelity to
martyrs upon reaching Switzerland
for Islamabad MoU talks
June 20th, 10:30pm
(PressTV)
Iran's Parliament speaker reaffirms his commitment to those
martyred during the latest unprovoked US-Israeli aggression
as he reaches Switzerland to pursue a Pakistan-mediated
memorandum signed with the aim of ending the cycle
arising out of the unwarranted attacks.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the remarks in a post on X on
Saturday as he reached Zurich for talks aimed at pursuing
the implementation of the commitments contained in the
understanding, which was recently signed between
the Islamic Republic and the US.
"I regard the innocent children of Minab and all the martyrs of our
beloved Iran as constant witnesses to my actions and conduct,"
he added, referring to the southern Iranian city, where 168
people - including schoolchildren and others - were
martyred ........after the US and Israeli regimes
launched their aggression on February 28.
"They see us and have expectations of us," he stated,
adding, "God willing, I will not be ashamed before
the innocent martyrs and the people of Iran."
The post incorporated a picture taken of the top legislator
upon deplaning from the aircraft carrying the delegation
that has been named "Minab 168" in commemoration
of the martyrs.
The delegation, also joined by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,
is expected to hold discussions on how obligations agreed
upon by the two sides, will be carried out.
Ahead of the trip, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei,
stressed ---- that the visit should not be viewed as the start of a
new round of negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement.
"This trip is essentially aimed at demanding the fulfillment
of the other party's commitments," Baghaei said. "Any
understanding or agreement is ultimately tested
---- during the implementation phase."
Baghaei added that talks on a final agreement cannot begin until
an implementation of several key provisions of the memorandum
is underway. "Unfortunately, we are not witnessing that situation
at present," he said.
The spokesman voiced concern... over continued Israeli military
aggression against Lebanon, emphasizing that they undermine
the first clause of the memorandum, namely: the cessation of
aggression on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Also on Saturday, Iran’s central military command, officially
declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all maritime traffic,
citing the US and Israeli violations of the MoU.
______________________________________________
Iran --- will never abandon its friends
in Lebanon: Source to Al Mayadeen
June 20th, 5:27pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
An Iranian source says the battlefield and diplomacy
are coordinated, accusing the US of failing to meet
its commitments to Lebanon.
The battlefield and diplomacy are currently operating in full
coordination with each other, a senior Iranian political-
security source stated to Al Mayadeen, highlighting
Tehran's approach amid an escalating situation.
Expressing sharp criticism of Washington's diplomatic
failures, the source emphasized - that the US has not
fulfilled its commitments toward Lebanon, a failure
Tehran deems completely unacceptable.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will never abandon its friends
in Lebanon," they firmly asserted, while issuing a stark
warning that the opportunity to rectify the situation is
extremely limited and time-bound.
This comes as Israeli occupation forces carried out a fresh
wave of attacks across southern Lebanon and western
Bekaa on Saturday morning, killing at least 37 people
and extending a pattern of aggression that has
persisted despite an alleged ceasefire in
place since April 17, 2026.
Hormuz closure is Iran's serious message to the US
In a similar vein, Member of the National Security Committee
in the Shura Council, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, also said that “full
coordination between diplomacy and the battlefield ---- is a
manifestation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s capability.”
Boroujerdi added that “Iran will never stand idly by,
and Washington must utilize all its power to stop
the crimes of the Zionist entity against the
oppressed Lebanese people.”
He further stated that the decisive action taken by the IRGC
a few hours earlier to close the Strait of Hormuz was
intended to send a strong message to the US.
The top Iranian figure went on to say that closing the Strait
of Hormuz.. is the first step in confronting the crimes of
the Zionist entity in southern Lebanon.
“The aggressors must stop their crimes so that we are
not forced to use other means,” he further stressed.
In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the Khatam
HQ accused the United States of breaching its obligations
under a memorandum of understanding related to ending
the war, and also cited continued Israeli military actions
in southern Lebanon ---- including ceasefire violations,
killings, the forced displacement of civilians, and a
failure to withdraw from Lebanese territory.
It added that the measure reflects a response to the
''deterioration of compliance'' ...by the opposing
parties and the persistence of hostilities
on the ground.
"In light of the US’ blatant violation of its commitments and
breach of the provisions of Article 1 of the memorandum
of understanding to end the war and in response to the
ongoing, continuous violation of the ceasefire by the
Israeli entity in southern Lebanon, the continued
brutal killing and forcible displacement of the
Lebanese people, and its failure to withdraw
from southern Lebanon --------- it is hereby
announced.... that the Strait of Hormuz
will be closed to maritime navigation,"
the statement read.
More steps... to follow
The statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central
Headquarters concluded by emphasizing that the
measure was presented as an initial response
to what it described as the enemy’s breach
of commitments, and warning ---- that any
continued escalation........ would prompt
additional actions, aimed at compelling
compliance with its stated obligations.
"It is noted --- that this first step is a response to the
enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression
continues ---- further steps will be planned and
taken - to force the enemy to comply with
its obligations,'' it asserted.
______________________________________________
Israeli strike on Gaza home - kills
father and two young daughters
in their sleep
June 20th, 11:32am
(PressTV)
Israeli forces have attacked Palestinians in the besieged Gaza
Strip once again, this time targeting a Gaza City home, killing
a father and his two daughters, both children, while they
were sleeping.
The mother was wounded and died later on Saturday.
Several others were injured, Palestinian
media reported.
The Israeli regime forces' deadly attacks in the early hours
of Saturday --- targeted a building on al-Thalatini Street in
Gaza City, medical sources told the WAFA news agency.
Gaza officials said on Saturday - that the Palestinians' death toll
from the Israeli regime forces' latest overnight strikes, hitting a
residential area in the besieged territory, reached at least five.
WAFA also reported the sound of heavy gunfire being heard
from Israeli naval vessels off the coast of southern Gaza
on the same day.
On Friday evening, 5 people were injured after Israeli
regime forces' air strikes targeted a tent sheltering
displaced families in the al-Mawasi area of
Khan Younis.
UNICEF: Ceasefire in besieged Gaza is a
‘deadly illusion’ for Palestinian children
Since a ceasefire was brokered by the United States last
October in Gaza, the Tel Aviv regime has repeatedly
violated the agreement, killing at least 1,007
people in Gaza.
According to Gaza's health authorities, another 3,165
Palestinians have been wounded.... in this period.
The United Nations children's agency (UNICEF), has
condemned the so-called ceasefire declared in the
besieged Gaza Strip, describing the fake truce as
a "deadly illusion" for the children and young
people in the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli forces.... have continued to block the entrance
of food, medicine, and construction material for building
shelters in the war-torn, crisis-hit Palestinian land with
more than 2.2 million people.
Simultaneously, the Israeli regime forces continue to occupy
the besieged Palestinian land. Presently, large swaths of
Gaza are being illegally held by the occupying Zionist
forces ---- backed by the United States.
Since the Israeli forces launched the genocidal war against
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, at least
73,018 people have been killed in the territory
surrounded by the Israeli forces.
________________________________________________
Israeli strikes kill over a dozen
in Lebanon's Natabieh
June 20th, 11:24am
(PressTV)
Israel’s latest strikes on the Nabatieh district in southern
Lebanon have killed at least 16 individuals and injured
12 others, the Lebanese civil defense agency says.
The agency said in a statement on Saturday, that its
personnel have been engaged since early morning
in the district - to address the continuing assaults.
The casualties come a day after at least 47 individuals
were killed and 97 others injured due to a series of
Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern
Lebanon, as reported by Lebanon’s
Health Ministry.
This marks the most severe escalation following the
agreement between the United States and Iran -
aimed at ceasing the wars on various fronts,
including Lebanon.
In a revised casualty report, the ministry said that the
airstrikes targeted several towns within the Nabatieh,
Jezzine, and Baalbek districts.
The highest number of casualties occurred in Harouf,
where nine individuals, including three women, were
killed and 14 others were injured.
In Doueir.. six individuals, including a child and
a woman, were killed, and six others wounded.
In Haboush, seven fatalities were reported, while four
were killed in Deir al-Zahrani and three in Arab Salim,
including a child.
In eastern Lebanon, three individuals were killed in
Tal al-Abyad near Baalbek, and Ain Bourday
reported nine injuries.
Earlier... on Friday, Lebanon’s official National News
Agency (NNA) reported numerous Israeli airstrikes
and drone assaults --- targeting residential areas,
motorcycles, and agricultural land throughout
southern Lebanon.
On Wednesday evening, US President, Donald Trump, and
the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically
signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,
which aims.... to conclude the US-Israeli war of
aggression against Iran, as well as to halt
Israeli assaults on Lebanon.
Nevertheless, members of the Israeli cabinet, led by Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly those from the
far-right factions, have dismissed the notion of linking
the Iran agreement.... to the cessation of military
offensives in Lebanon or making any security
concessions, insisting on the continuation
of Israel’s military ''presence'' in
southern Lebanon.
According to the most recent official statistics, the Israeli
military’s onslaught on Lebanon since March 2 has
resulted in the deaths of 3,980 individuals,
injuries to 12,001 others, and the
displacement ....of over one
million residents.