Israel and Hezbollah have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire, according to a U.S. official, in a move aimed at reducing tensions on one of the most volatile fronts of the broader Middle East conflict.
The official stated that the ceasefire was scheduled to take effect at 16:00 local time (14:00 UK time). However, as of the latest reports, neither Israel nor Hezbollah has officially confirmed the agreement.
The reported truce comes despite continued violence in recent days. According to reports, Israeli forces carried out overnight strikes in southern Lebanon, claiming to have killed dozens of Hezbollah militants. Lebanese officials, however, said that women and children were among the casualties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attacks as a response to Hezbollah operations that reportedly killed four Israeli soldiers.
The ceasefire is said to be part of a broader framework agreement involving the United States and Iran, under which hostilities across multiple fronts—including Lebanon—were expected to halt.
Meanwhile, Iran emphasized the importance of ending the fighting in Lebanon. A Hezbollah lawmaker stated that Tehran considers a ceasefire there essential for the continuation of diplomatic efforts. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the attacks on Lebanon and warned of their impact on regional peace and security.
Baghaei also accused the United States of bearing direct responsibility for the current situation, arguing that a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon is an integral part of the broader agreement under discussion.
Despite the reported breakthrough, previous ceasefires between Israel and Hezbollah have often collapsed quickly, raising questions about the durability of the latest arrangement.
