Ceasefire Holds amid Ongoing Air Strikes in Southern Lebanon

A United States diplomat announced that Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire after a wave of Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that killed 47 civilians. The agreement comes after concerns that continuing clashes could derail the U.S. and Iran truce brokered under the Biden administration.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strikes killed 47 men, women and children and wounded 97 more. Nine of those killed were in Harouf, seven in Haboush and six in al-Duweir, where a child was among the deceased.

Israeli forces said they would continue to counter immediate threats, responding to Hezbollah’s violations and protecting Israeli civilians. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, rejected the ceasefire, claiming an “abortive” effort to eliminate the group and demanding an Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Reports from the city of Nabatieh indicate at least 12 more air strikes after the ceasefire began at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT), underscoring persistent hostilities. The U.S. and Iran deal, which sought a broader regional truce, remains compromised amid ongoing conflict, sparking criticism from Iran’s foreign ministry that any breaches would be blamed on the United States.

Eyewitnesses and displaced residents have expressed skepticism about Israel’s adherence to the agreement, citing historical patterns of repeated promises. The war has claimed more than 3,900 lives and left over 11,600 wounded, while around a million people are displaced and many southern communities destroyed.