Israel and Hezbollah enter fragile ceasefire in Lebanon

The deal, negotiated by the U.S. and Qatar with Iranian involvement, mandates a termination of military operations. Despite the 4 p.m. start time, initial hours were marred by confusion. Lebanese security sources reported a dozen Israeli airstrikes shortly after the deadline, claims the Israeli military denied, though a Reuters journalist observed continued activity near the border until 5 p.m. Since then, both sides have reported a cessation of fire.

Israeli forces remain positioned in southern Lebanon, where they have established a self-declared security zone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously vowed to exact a heavy price for the deaths of four Israeli soldiers killed in a recent Hezbollah ambush near the Ali al-Taher hill. Hezbollah, which continues to challenge these ground incursions, maintains that it will honor the truce only if Israel ceases all attacks. The conflict has taken a devastating toll, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting 3,912 fatalities since March 2, while at least 32 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have died in the cross-border fighting.