Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin Friday, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. Negotiators from the U.S. and Qatar worked out the deal with help from Iran, aiming to de-escalate tensions and keep nuclear talks on track.
The agreement marks a significant de-escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, potentially averting a wider regional war and aiding efforts to resume nuclear talks.
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin Friday, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. Negotiators from the U.S. and Qatar worked out the deal with help from Iran, aiming to de-escalate tensions and keep nuclear talks on track.
Israel has reiterated its commitment to a truce with Lebanon, provided Hezbollah does not violate the terms of the agreement. However, Hezbollah has officially rejected the agreement, informing Lebanese authorities of its stance. Despite ongoing cross-border attacks, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz indicated that military operations would continue and troops would not withdraw from Lebanon. Displaced Lebanese residents will also not be permitted to return south.
The U.S. has signaled to Iran that Israel will not escalate military action in Lebanon, a message conveyed to keep nuclear talks on track. This follows renewed Israeli strikes after a Hezbollah attack.