Washington (TDI): Lebanon has announced a partial ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, marking a tentative step toward de-escalation in a conflict that has continued to devastate the country and fuel wider regional instability. However, fighting on the ground and cross-border attacks have persisted despite the announcement.
According to Lebanon’s embassy in Washington, the understanding does not amount to a full end to hostilities. Instead, it calls for Israel to halt strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs, areas largely associated with Hezbollah presence, while Hezbollah would in turn reduce or pause attacks on Israeli territory.
Despite the announcement, hostilities in southern Lebanon continued into the evening. The Israeli military later said it intercepted two projectiles launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel, with no reported casualties.
The development was initially announced by US President Donald Trump, who said the agreement had been reached through intermediaries. Trump claimed that Hezbollah had agreed not to attack Israel, though the United States has never formally engaged in direct talks with the group, which it designates as a terrorist organization.
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He also stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to pause plans for a strike on Beirut. However, shortly after the announcement, Netanyahu’s office said Israel would continue military operations in southern Lebanon, where ground forces have advanced deeper than at any point in decades.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the group would support a comprehensive ceasefire across Lebanon, provided it led to the withdrawal of Israeli forces. He did not explicitly confirm whether Hezbollah would fully halt its attacks on Israel.
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Lebanon has indicated that it will seek to broaden the ceasefire framework in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington, with the aim of turning the partial understanding into a more durable arrangement.
