JERUSALEM — Israel and Hezbollah agreed Friday to renew a ceasefire in Lebanon after a flare-up in fighting that postponed U.S.-Iran talks, officials from multiple sides said.
The truce, mediated by the United States, Qatar and Iran, took effect in the afternoon, according to a U.S. official and two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The agreement came hours after Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah attacks killed dozens in southern Lebanon and several Israeli soldiers, threatening a broader U.S.-Iran deal aimed at de-escalating regional hostilities.
Lebanese health authorities reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 47 people in Lebanon on Friday, one of the deadliest days in recent fighting, while Hezbollah said it killed four Israeli soldiers in cross-border attacks.
A U.S. official confirmed the renewed ceasefire, which builds on previous extensions of a truce first reached earlier this year. Details of the exact terms for the latest renewal remained unclear immediately after the announcement.
The fighting erupted despite ongoing efforts to stabilize the border area. Israel has maintained a security presence in parts of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has faced pressure to withdraw fighters from areas south of the Litani River.
The escalation came as the United States and Iran had been preparing talks in Switzerland to advance a recently signed interim agreement intended to reduce tensions across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. Those talks were postponed, officials said.
"The ceasefire is holding for now, but both sides are watching closely," one regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Israeli officials have emphasized their right to self-defense and the need to prevent Hezbollah from rearming or repositioning near the border. Hezbollah has described its actions as responses to Israeli violations and has called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon and caused thousands of deaths since it intensified earlier in 2026, according to Lebanese authorities and international monitors. Exact overall casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Both Israel and Hezbollah stated they would abide by the renewed truce but warned that any violations would be met with force. No immediate reports of breaches emerged after it took effect.
Further talks between the parties are expected in the coming weeks as part of broader U.S.-mediated efforts toward a more comprehensive agreement.
