US Official: Israel and Hezbollah Agree on Ceasefire
Image source, EPA
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A senior US official has confirmed that Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the ceasefire is currently being implemented, but the army is prepared to resume military operations upon receiving orders.
This agreement was reached considering the possibility that ongoing conflict in Lebanon could adversely impact the US-Iran agreement.
Direct talks between the US and Iran, scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, have been postponed.
Lebanon has reported that at least 18 people died in the latest Israeli airstrike, while Israel stated that it responded after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers.
Agreement Amid Concerns
Image source, Reuters
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially confirmed the ceasefire with Hezbollah. IDF spokesperson Avichay Deferin said, “We are in a ceasefire state. If ordered, we are ready to resume fighting.”
Under the US-Iran agreement, the conflict in Lebanon was also expected to end, but Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 47 people died in southern Lebanon overnight due to Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli military reported the deaths of four of its soldiers and stated it targeted Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
Israel’s right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the military deaths by saying all of Lebanon should burn.
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun described the expansion of Israeli attacks as dangerous and warned it would escalate tensions.
US Vice President JD Vance delayed his visit to Switzerland, citing these tensions as the reason.
Technical discussions on implementing the US-Iran agreement, signed earlier this week, were scheduled to take place today in Switzerland.
However, the White House announced on Thursday that Vice President Vance would not attend the talks, stating that the visit preparations were neither routine nor predictable.
Following the agreement, the US lifted maritime sanctions on Iran.
A few hours before the White House statement, Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese media reported that the talks were postponed due to the Israeli attack.
How Hezbollah Became Involved in the Iran-Israel Conflict
At the end of February, after Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed in an Israeli attack, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against Israel. Subsequently, at the start of March, Lebanon was drawn into the conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran.
Israel conducted bombings across Lebanon and captured several areas to clear Hezbollah fighters from the northern border.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 3,912 deaths and 11,699 injuries in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Health.
Dozens of communities in southern Lebanon have been completely destroyed, and around one million people have been displaced.
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