DUBAI: Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon following a sharp escalation in fighting that threatened to derail broader diplomatic efforts linked to a US–Iran interim understanding, according to multiple officials and reports.
The agreement came after days of heavy cross-border violence, which had also disrupted planned US–Iran talks scheduled in Switzerland on Friday. Those negotiations were postponed amid renewed instability, raising concerns over the future of a wider regional peace framework and the reopening of key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said he intervened directly, speaking with Israeli officials and urging restraint. “You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,” he was quoted as saying in remarks reported by US media. However, he did not confirm whether he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A senior US official said the ceasefire took effect around 4 p.m. Lebanon time (1300 GMT) after an exchange of fire, adding that US and Qatari negotiators, with Iranian support, helped finalise the arrangement. Both Hezbollah and Israeli officials also confirmed the ceasefire, though conditions on the ground remained tense in the immediate aftermath.
An Israeli official said Israel would halt offensive action if it was not attacked but indicated that its forces would remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon. Lebanese security sources reported continued Israeli airstrikes shortly after the ceasefire announcement, though no further strikes were recorded later in the day.
The fighting has added complexity to already fragile diplomatic efforts linked to a broader US–Iran interim deal, which requires cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts. Analysts warn that instability in Lebanon could directly impact negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security arrangements.
Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities reported multiple casualties from recent airstrikes, while Israel said several of its soldiers were killed in separate incidents in the south. Both sides have accused each other of violating prior understandings.
Iranian and US-linked diplomatic channels continue to explore a 60-day framework for broader agreement, which includes sanctions relief for Tehran, potential unfreezing of assets, and discussions on reconstruction funding. However, key issues remain unresolved, and the latest escalation has cast new doubt over the timeline.
The ceasefire is being viewed as a fragile step aimed at preventing further regional spillover, though officials caution that the situation remains highly volatile.
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