U.S. claims Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire back on
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Israeli tanks in an occupied area of southern Lebanon. Photo: Jack Guez/AFP via Getty
Two U.S. officials told Axios on Friday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, but clashes continued even after it was supposed to be in effect.
- Hezbollah sources told Reuters the group would observe the ceasefire, but a spokesperson for Israel's military declined to confirm its participation.
Why it matters: The continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah led to the postponement of U.S.-Iran talks planned for Friday. U.S. officials hope the talks can be launched if the ceasefire holds.
- The conflict has displaced more than one million people and Israel is still occupying a swath of southern Lebanon.
- The U.S.-Iran deal includes a ceasefire in Lebanon, but Israeli officials have raised doubts about their commitment to any such truce. Political allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have openly attacked the deal.
- Tehran claimed Israel's attacks in Lebanon on Thursday morning were a violation of the U.S.-Iran MOU.
Driving the news: A senior U.S. official told Axios the renewed ceasefire in Lebanon was mediated by the U.S. and Qatar and went into effect at 4pm local time (9am ET).
- But in the hour after the ceasefire was supposed to come into effect, the Israeli military conducted strikes in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah launched drones towards northern Israel.
What they're saying: "Netanyahu approved it 100%," the senior U.S. official said.
- Netanyahu's office has not confirmed that, and the military spokesperson, Efi Defrin, said the ceasefire was a matter for political leadership and he could not confirm.
- Defrin stressed that Israeli forces would stay in southern Lebanon and operate against threats.
- Two Hezbollah sources told Reuters the group considered the truce to now be in effect.
The latest: An Israeli defense official said Israeli political leadership directed the military to halt all military action north of the "yellow line" — which separates the zone Israel is occupying from the rest of Lebanon — but continue operating against threats in the occupied areas.
How it happened: On Thursday afternoon, President Trump, the speaker of Lebanon's parliament and the Israeli ambassador to Lebanon all expressed commitment to the ceasefire in Lebanon.
- But several hours later, on Thursday night, Hezbollah conducted several attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, killing at least 4 Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with massive strikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.
- That led to the postponement of the U.S.-Iran talks, which were to be held in Switzerland.
- A spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry confirmed the postponement and said the conditions for negotiations had yet to be met. "Holding the said meeting in Switzerland is not urgent, but we are planning to hold a meeting in the coming days," he said.
Go deeper: Trump tells "The Axios Show" there are "no limits" to his power after Iran war
