June 19 (THEWILL) — Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, a senior United States official has confirmed, bringing a temporary halt to days of deadly escalation across the Israel–Lebanon border.
According to the BBC, the ceasefire was scheduled to take effect at 16:00 local time (14:00 BST) on Friday, following intensified diplomatic efforts to stop the widening conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that the ceasefire was in force, with its spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, stating: “We are in a ceasefire. The IDF is prepared to continue fighting if called upon to do so.”
The announcement came after a violent phase of hostilities that left at least 18 people dead in southern Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry, following a wave of Israeli air strikes overnight.
The Israeli military said its operations targeted around 80 Hezbollah-linked sites across southern Lebanon, including what it described as command positions and infrastructure, adding that dozens of Hezbollah fighters were killed in the strikes.
Israel also confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon earlier in the escalation, marking some of its most significant battlefield losses in recent weeks.
The ceasefire follows days of intensified cross-border exchanges that had raised fears of a broader regional war involving multiple state and non-state actors across the Middle East.
Diplomatic sources said the truce is linked to a wider United States–Iran agreement aimed at ending hostilities across several regional fronts, including Lebanon.
The framework reportedly calls for an “immediate and permanent” cessation of military operations on all sides and affirms Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The broader understanding, according to officials familiar with the deal, also forms part of a wider geopolitical arrangement involving commitments on regional security guarantees and economic reconstruction measures for Iran, alongside assurances that the country would not pursue nuclear weapons capability. It also includes provisions linked to sanctions relief and the reopening of key regional trade routes.
However, United States officials have previously clarified that while Lebanon falls within the ceasefire framework, Israel retains the right to self-defence and that full military withdrawal from Lebanese territory was not a condition of the agreement.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli military officials signalled caution, stressing that forces remain on alert and prepared to resume operations if necessary.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
