Israel and Hezbollah agree to new ceasefire, Reuters reports

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is reportedly set to take effect on Friday at 3:00 PM Norwegian time, according to Reuters, citing an American official. This agreement aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflict that has seen significant casualties and displacement.

The announcement follows a previous ceasefire that was established on April 17. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have since accused each other of breaching the terms of that agreement. The situation on the ground has remained tense, with Lebanese authorities reporting nearly 3,500 Israeli attacks against Lebanon since April.

These attacks have resulted in over 3,500 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries, according to Lebanese figures. The conflict has also led to the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people from southern Lebanon, areas now under partial control of Israeli forces.

The fragile situation was further complicated by a statement from Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on X. He expressed disregard for a US-brokered understanding with Iran regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon, stating, "For every tear an Israeli mother sheds, a thousand Lebanese mothers must cry. All of Lebanon must burn." Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, condemned this statement as "completely unacceptable."