Lebanon hit after US call to halt fire

clashes on | Israel confirms truce but warns  strikes on Beirut to resume if attacks continue

Agencies Beirut

Clashes continue in southern Lebanon despite Israel and Hezbollah accepting a US-backed partial ceasefire. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he spoke to leaders on both sides, who agreed to halt fire. This move follows sharp warnings from Iran that Israeli military actions in Lebanon threaten the stability of the US-Iran truce.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the agreement but maintained that Israeli strikes on Beirut would resume if Hezbollah continues to target Israeli civilians or cities. 

He added that Israeli forces would continue operations in southern Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, violence persists; Hezbollah reported targeting Israeli tanks in Haddatha and Bayada, while the Israeli military intercepted projectiles fired from Lebanon early on Tuesday.

The regional instability has triggered strong reactions from Tehran. 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the US-Iran truce is a ceasefire on all fronts, warning that violations in Lebanon undermine the entire agreement. Separately, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran may suspend indirect negotiations with the US, threatening to activate alternative fronts near the Red Sea if military pressure continues.

Hezbollah has agreed to plan to cease attacks, says Lebanon

Beirut: Lebanese authorities have confirmed that Hezbollah has agreed to a US proposal for a "mutual cessation of attacks" with Israel, according to a statement by the Lebanese presidency, citing the Lebanese embassy in Washington. The statement, released on Monday (local time), said that the confirmation followed a phone call between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the situation in Lebanon and efforts to de-escalate tensions were discussed. According to the embassy, the US proposal calls for a reciprocal halt to attacks by both sides.