Lebanon announced on Monday that Hezbollah has agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal to halt its attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel ceasing its operations in southern Beirut. This announcement follows a reported “very good call” between President Donald Trump and representatives from both Hezbollah and Israel.
The Lebanese embassy in Washington shared details indicating that the agreement involves an end to “Israeli strikes on Dahiyeh,” an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, in return for Hezbollah refraining from attacking Israel. This arrangement comes amidst Israel’s escalating military actions in Lebanon, which have included heavy bombardments and the most significant ground invasion in two decades, raising concerns about the fragile ceasefire forged between U.S. and Iranian interests in the region.
Hezbollah initiated its participation in the conflict on March 2, responding to the U.S.-Israeli assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader with rocket fire directed at Israel. Trump has positioned himself as a mediator in the situation, claiming he successfully encouraged both parties to de-escalate. He emphasized, “There will be no troops going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way have already been turned back” and indicated optimism for a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Despite these statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Hezbollah continued its aggressions towards Israeli towns and citizens, Israel would retaliate against what it labels terrorist targets in Beirut. Trump reiterated his hope for a permanent ceasefire, stating, “hopefully” the fighting would end “for ETERNITY!”
These developments occur ahead of a planned fourth round of U.S.-hosted negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Military representatives had previously engaged in security talks last week, indicating potential for progress, though tensions remain high. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah expressed the group’s desire for a broad ceasefire across Lebanese territory, although they continued to report attacks on Israeli positions post-announcement.
The situation is compounded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who have emphasized that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a critical requirement for any dialogue with the U.S. Amid these tensions, Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations in southern Lebanon, one of which resulted in significant damage to a hospital in Tyre. Eyewitnesses reported severe destruction, with first responders seen extinguishing flames in the hospital’s car park and dealing with damaged facilities inside.
Tragically, reports have emerged of civilian casualties, including a strike that killed a father and his two children returning home after university exams. Lebanon’s health ministry has indicated that Israeli airstrikes since the conflict escalated have resulted in at least 3,433 fatalities.
Within this volatile context, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson called for all involved parties to respect the ceasefire. The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the ongoing violence, and Guterres has indicated the necessity to maintain peacekeeping forces in Lebanon after their current mandate expires.
Israeli officials have reiterated their readiness to conduct strikes in response to Hezbollah’s attack behaviors, asserting that there will be no peace in Beirut if attacks persist. This could lead to the establishment of a military-controlled zone in southern Lebanon.
As families in southern Beirut flee the escalating violence, sentiments of fear and uncertainty are palpable. A resident expressed disappointment over the brief period of relative calm, noting that the latest Israeli announcement resulted in widespread panic and prompted immediate evacuations. The current ceasefire, which began on April 17, has been repeatedly violated, with both Hezbollah and Israel accusing each other of breaches that justify their ongoing military actions.
