Israel and Hezbollah Reach Ceasefire Amid Renewed Clashes, US Officials Report
A United States spokesperson confirmed that Israel and the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah had agreed on a ceasefire after a round of heavy air strikes that killed 47 civilians in the south of Lebanon.
The truce was reached shortly before midnight after escalating hostilities, which Hezbollah said could jeopardise the U.S.–Iran accord aimed at ending tensions across the region. The agreement comes amid threats of renewed violence that could weaken the Middle East peace framework.
An Israeli military spokesman said Israel would “continue to remove immediate threats” and respond to Hezbollah’s violations, while Hezbollah’s secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, declared that “the project to eliminate Hezbollah has failed.”
Rescue teams in Nabatieh reported at least twelve air strikes since the ceasefire took effect at 16:00 local time, indicating fighting may still persist despite official statements. The United Nations monitoring mission has also noted sporadic gunfire in the same district.
The situation highlights the fragility of the U.S.–Iran negotiations, with Tehran accusing Israel of pushing for a “permanent war.” Israeli officials, meanwhile, defended their operations as a response to continuing attacks that have claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers.
The death toll from the night’s bombardment stood at 47, including women and children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, with 97 wounded. Nine civilians died in Harouf, seven in Haboush, and six in al-Duweir, including a child.
Displaced residents in Lebanon remain skeptical of the ceasefire’s durability, with many citing past broken agreements. One local resident told Reuters, “The agreement is good, but the Israelis don’t abide by it.”
Further details come against the backdrop of Israel’s broad bombing campaign in southern Lebanon, which has occupied about five per cent of the country’s territory and driven back Hezbollah fighters from its northern border.
