Hezbollah Accepts US-Mediated Mutual Ceasefire with Israel, Lebanon Confirms

Lebanon has announced that Hezbollah has agreed to a United States-proposed deal that would halt attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from striking Beirut. The Lebanese embassy in Washington stated it had "received confirmation of Hezbollah's acceptance of the US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the agreement but issued a stern caveat, warning that military strikes on the Lebanese capital would resume "if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and civilians." He further clarified that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would maintain their planned operations in southern Lebanon.

These developments followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed to have held discussions with both Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah, asserting that "they agreed that all shooting will stop." This statement came amid heightened tensions after Iran cautioned that Israeli military actions in Lebanon threatened the existing US-Iran ceasefire.

According to a statement released late Monday by the Lebanese embassy, the proposed arrangement dictates that Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs will cease as long as Hezbollah abstains from launching attacks against Israel. The embassy noted that this truce is intended to cover "all Lebanese territory."

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, violence persisted immediately after Trump’s announcement. Hezbollah reported launching drone and artillery attacks against Israeli tanks and soldiers near two villages in northern Israel. The Israeli military confirmed it had intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanon, with no injuries reported. Concurrently, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Israeli strikes on several southern locations, including a "very violent detonation" in the town of Debbine.

Earlier, Netanyahu had ordered strikes on "terror targets" in Beirut’s southern suburbs in response to rocket and drone fire from the Iran-backed group. These actions triggered strong reactions from Iranian officials. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the US-Iran truce constitutes a "ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon," adding that "its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts."

Tehran’s Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Iran might suspend indirect negotiations with the US regarding the conflict in Lebanon. The agency also suggested that Iran and its allies could "activate other fronts, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait" at the Red Sea’s entrance.

However, Trump later insisted on Truth Social that diplomatic talks with Iran were proceeding at a "rapid pace." He reiterated his conversations with both Israeli and Hezbollah leadership, writing, "I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu... and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back." He added, "Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop - That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."

The US has sought to decouple the Lebanon situation from broader negotiations with Iran, which provides significant ideological, military, and financial support to Hezbollah and insists on peace in Lebanon as part of any agreement. On Sunday, a US official revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had presented a plan for "gradual de-escalation" to both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on April 16, the Israeli military has conducted two strikes in Beirut, the most recent occurring on Thursday. This frequency marks a decrease from previous levels, reflecting pressure from the White House on Israel to limit military action in the capital as part of broader efforts to secure a comprehensive deal ending the war with Iran.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 23:50:03 UTC