Israel and Hezbollah Agree Ceasefire After Lebanon Attacks

Israel and Hezbollah have finally agreed to a ceasefire that takes effect immediately after attacks in Lebanon threatened to escalate again. The information was conveyed by a United States official on Friday (19/6) local time. The agreement was reached after mediation involving the United States and Qatar with intensive communication to Israel and Iran. A diplomat from a Gulf state also confirmed the temporary cessation of hostilities. The development came after the situation in Lebanon heated up over the past two days. Lebanese authorities reported at least 47 people killed by Israeli air strikes, while the Israeli military announced four of its soldiers had fallen. The figure represents the highest combined casualties since the United States and Iran agreed on the latest peace framework. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressed the importance of halting Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory. “There needs to be a cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory through the realisation of a comprehensive ceasefire,” read a statement from the Lebanese presidential office. However, Washington continues to emphasise the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament as an important condition for long-term stability. According to the US State Department, Rubio reiterated the importance of the Lebanese government taking full control over the entire territory of the country. “Two sovereign governments will continue negotiations to achieve sustainable peace. Hezbollah’s disarmament remains an important agenda,” said a US State Department spokesperson. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter stated his country is ready to implement the ceasefire as long as Hezbollah respects the agreement that has been reached. “Israel is committed to an immediate ceasefire, provided Hezbollah ceases all hostile actions,” Leiter said. The peace agreement signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week was originally designed to end the conflict that erupted on 28 February. Iran from the outset stressed that the cessation of fighting in Lebanon must be an inseparable part of any agreement. Before the ceasefire was announced, the Israeli military claimed to have struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and killed dozens of the group’s members. On the other side, Hezbollah continued to launch retaliatory attacks, making the situation increasingly difficult to control. Nevertheless, tensions have not fully subsided. Lebanese state media had reported an Israeli air strike in the Jezzine area after the ceasefire announcement. However, Leiter denied the report.