US-Iran talks in Switzerland postponed; Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday that the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon will pay a “very heavy price” for attacks on Israeli soldiers and territory. 

The remark comes after the Israel Defense Forces said four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon. 

"I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the Commander of the Armored Corps 52nd Battalion, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, and of three heroic fighters whose names have not yet been cleared for publication, may God avenge their blood,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “I also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded in the exchanges of fire yesterday.” 

“My directive is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu added. “The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and our territory.” 

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this post.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets and eliminated dozens of Hezbollah terrorists after four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon. 

“A short while ago, in response to the repeated violations of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF struck two Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley, while Hezbollah terrorists were operating inside,” the IDF said in a statement.  

“Overnight, the IDF struck more than 80 command centers, terrorists, launch positions, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nabatieh and additional areas in southern Lebanon, within the Security Zone and beyond it,” the IDF added. “Furthermore, during the strikes, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists operating in the command centers were eliminated.” 

The IDF said earlier Friday that four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon on Friday, including a battalion commander.   

The deaths were confirmed after an Israeli military tank was struck by a suspicious target, according to an IDF official. 

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this post. 

Vice President JD Vance scrapped plans to travel to Switzerland on Friday for the next round of U.S.-Iran talks, the White House confirmed Thursday night, highlighting ongoing uncertainty over the timing and logistics of the negotiations with Tehran.

“As the vice president said at his press conference, the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity,” the spokesperson said.

“But the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the vice president is not departing tonight,” they added.

“We will let you know as soon as we have a concrete update about next steps. We look forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible.”

The remarks came in the wake of a newly signed memorandum of understanding, with negotiators originally planning to finalize a deal between the U.S. and Iran within 60 days.