BEIRUT — Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon that took effect on Friday, according to a senior U.S. official, following a recent escalation in cross-border fighting.
The truce, set to begin at 4 p.m. local time on Friday, was mediated by the United States, Qatar and Iran, the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said, adding that negotiators worked out the deal after an exchange of fire earlier that day.
Details of the agreement, including its duration and specific terms, remained unclear on Saturday. Lebanese state media reported continued Israeli strikes in parts of southern Lebanon even after the scheduled start time, while Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed the deal.
The latest flare-up came amid heightened tensions linked to broader regional conflicts. Israeli forces conducted strikes on Hezbollah targets in recent days, while the group launched rockets and drones toward northern Israel. A U.S. official cited by multiple outlets said the ceasefire aims to halt hostilities while allowing space for further diplomatic efforts.
Lebanese officials expressed caution. One diplomat told AFP the agreement was reached after intense mediation but noted persistent challenges on the ground. Hezbollah has not issued a formal public statement on the truce as of Saturday morning.
The development follows months of intermittent violations of earlier ceasefires. Background fighting has displaced communities on both sides of the border and raised fears of wider escalation involving Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump urged restraint from Israel during recent G7 discussions, according to reports.
Casualty figures from the recent exchanges were not immediately available from independent sources. Lebanese reports indicated civilian deaths in southern areas, while Israel reported injuries from Hezbollah projectiles. Both sides have previously attributed high civilian tolls to the other.
As of Saturday, northern Israeli towns remained on alert, and residents in southern Lebanon reported anxiety over potential violations. International observers, including those monitoring earlier truces, have called for full adherence to prevent renewed fighting.
The ceasefire coincides with stalled U.S.-Iran talks, which diplomats said were complicated by the Lebanon flare-up. No immediate timeline was given for next steps in broader regional de-escalation.
Officials on both sides emphasized that the truce remains fragile. “We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire,” the U.S. official reiterated.
