DistantNews
Support us
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ง Lebanon /Conflict & Security

Israel, Hezbollah Clash Overnight Amid U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire Efforts

From Naharnet · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire overnight, despite U.S. President Trump's announcement of a ceasefire ahead of talks between Israel and Lebanon.
  • Trump stated he had persuaded both sides to halt fighting, with Israel agreeing to cease strikes on Beirut's suburbs in exchange for Hezbollah stopping attacks.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, indicated Israel would strike Hezbollah targets if attacks continued, casting doubt on the truce's stability.

Israel and Hezbollah engaged in overnight clashes, casting a shadow over U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that both sides had agreed to a ceasefire ahead of planned talks between Israel and Lebanon. The escalating Israeli offensive in Lebanon, including heavy bombardment and its deepest ground invasion in two decades, had previously threatened a broader Middle East ceasefire.

There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump announced on his Truth Social network after a call with Netanyahu.

Hezbollah entered the conflict on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel, following the U.S.-Israeli killing of Iran's supreme leader. Tehran has insisted that Lebanon be included in any peace deal with Washington. The latest exchange of fire occurred after Lebanon reported that Iran-backed Hezbollah had accepted a U.S. proposal for a "mutual cessation of attacks."

Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop -- That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump shared details of his calls with Israeli and Hezbollah representatives on his Truth Social network.

According to a statement from the Lebanese embassy in Washington, the arrangement stipulated that Israeli strikes on Dahieh, Beirut's southern suburbs, would cease in return for Hezbollah refraining from launching attacks against Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to cast doubt on the truce, reportedly telling Trump that Israel would strike terrorist targets in Beirut if Hezbollah did not cease attacking Israeli towns and citizens.

that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our towns and our citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut

โ€” Benjamin NetanyahuNetanyahu's statement to Trump, as reported by Axios and later alluded to by Trump.

Trump, via his Truth Social network, had initially announced a halt to fighting, stating he had persuaded both sides to de-escalate. He mentioned a "very productive" call with Netanyahu and a "very good call" with Hezbollah representatives. Yet, Netanyahu's subsequent remarks suggested a conditional commitment to the ceasefire, highlighting the fragility of the agreement. Trump later reiterated his call for a permanent cessation of hostilities, expressing hope that fighting would stop "for ETERNITY!"

hopefully Israel and Hezbollah will stop fighting for ETERNITY!

โ€” Donald TrumpTrump's concluding remark on his Truth Social network regarding the ceasefire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Naharnet in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.