strikeJun 19, 2026

Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after deadly escalation in Lebanon

Summary

Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after deadly escalation in Lebanon The truce, brokered by the US and Qatar with Iranian assistance, followed a deadly escalation that threatened broader regional diplomacy and efforts to advance negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, a senior US official said, following a deadly escalation that threatened to derail wider diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting peace deal across the Middle East. The ceasefire came into effect shortly before 4 pm local time in Lebanon (1300 GMT), according to the official, who said negotiators from the United States and Qatar helped broker the agreement with assistance from Iran. "We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire," the senior US official said on background, confirming that both sides had agreed to halt hostilities after a day of intense fighting. The breakthrough follows a flare-up in southern Lebanon in which 18 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes and four Israeli soldiers died in attacks by Hezbollah militants. The violence raised fears that tension on Israel's northern border could undermine broader diplomatic efforts tied to the conflict involving Iran. According to the US official, American and Qatari mediators worked intensively to secure the agreement, while Iran also played a role in facilitating the ceasefire. The truce is seen as a critical step toward preserving negotiations aimed at transforming the current pause in hostilities between Washington and Tehran into a more comprehensive regional settlement. The fighting in Lebanon had already complicated diplomatic efforts. Planned talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland on Friday were cancelled as violence escalated, creating uncertainty over negotiations considered vital for ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

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India Today News DeskBy India Today News Desk
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after deadly escalation in Lebanon The truce, brokered by the US and Qatar with Iranian assistance, followed a deadly escalation that threatened broader regional diplomacy and efforts to advance negotiations between Washington and Tehran. I…

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