Israel continued military operations in southern Lebanon on Friday despite a reported ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, raising concerns that the fragile truce could collapse and undermine broader regional peace efforts.
US and Gulf officials said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt hostilities under a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the United States and Iran. The truce was scheduled to take effect at 4pm local time.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon threaten Iran-US deal as Switzerland talks postponed
However, reports from southern Lebanon indicated that at least 12 Israeli air raids and continued artillery shelling occurred after the ceasefire deadline.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks launched from midnight through Friday killed at least 47 people and injured 97 others.
A senior US official told media that the ceasefire had been reached through US and Qatari mediation with Iranian assistance. Hezbollah and Israeli officials also confirmed the agreement, with Hezbollah saying it would hold if Israel respected it.
The next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks is scheduled in Washington from June 23-25, the US State Department said.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric welcomed reports of the ceasefire and urged all parties to respect existing arrangements and pursue dialogue for lasting stability.