US Official Announces New Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a new ceasefire in Lebanon following a sharp overnight escalation in hostilities, a senior U.S. official announced Friday.

The truce took effect at 4 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Friday.

Negotiators from the United States and Qatar brokered the agreement, with diplomatic assistance from Iran.

The development follows an intensification of violence that threatened to undermine the U.S.-Iranian interim agreement signed on Wednesday.

A Hezbollah lawmaker stated that Tehran had informed the group that negotiations with Washington could not proceed without a comprehensive ceasefire.

The broader agreement mandates that the United States, Iran, and their regional allies permanently terminate military operations across all fronts.

Contradictory Statements on Ceasefire Claims

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement that noted it was prepared to continue combat operations in Lebanon.

“The IDF is prepared and ready to return to intensive combat operations in any arena,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official told N12 that the agreement was not a new ceasefire.

“There is no renewal of the ceasefire,” the official said. “It allows the IDF to continue destroying infrastructure and to act against emerging threats.”

Overnight Escalation Preceding the Truce

The agreement follows a significant spike in violence overnight.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 people in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Concurrently, four Israeli soldiers were killed during clashes in southern Lebanon.

The incident marked one of the deadliest attacks executed by Hezbollah during the current conflict.