Israel kills dozens in Lebanon as minister calls to 'open the gates of hell' Submitted by Shraddha Joshi on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 12:29 Iranian officials have postponed talks with the US following Israel's latest escalation in Lebanon People walk amid the rubble of their destroyed home in the southern Lebanese town of Toul on 18 June 2026 (Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP) Off Israeli strikes have killed at least 21 and wounded over 39 others in southern Lebanon since Thursday night, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced.  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced "a dangerous and reprehensible escalation" that has cost the lives of "dozens of innocent people, including women and children". These strikes "undermine all ongoing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and end the war, particularly in light of recent developments between the United States and Iran", he said in a statement. The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday aimed at ending over 100 days of war in the Middle East, including in Lebanon.