Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, a diplomat briefed on the matter told CBS News, after the deadliest burst of fighting between the two sides since the United States and Iran finalized a new memorandum of understanding this week.
The flare-up quickly became an early test of the U.S.-Iran agreement, which calls for hostilities to stop on multiple fronts, including Lebanon. But neither Israel nor Hezbollah was a party to that deal, and both sides have accused the other of violating earlier ceasefires.
Lebanese state media said at least 18 civilians were killed in Israeli attacks, while Israel said four of its soldiers were killed in an attack on a tank. The Israeli military said it struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon overnight, describing the attacks as a response to what it called repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.
The fighting also disrupted the next phase of U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Direct talks that had been expected to begin Friday in Switzerland were postponed. The White House cited logistical issues for Vice President JD Vance delaying his trip to Geneva, while officials told The Associated Press and other outlets that Iran had suspended the talks because of the fighting in Lebanon.
A fragile deal faces its first pressure point
The memorandum signed by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday set out a 60-day period of direct negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes. It also called for a broader end to hostilities, including in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have continued to trade fire and blame.
Trump said Thursday night that he expected Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting under the U.S.-Iran agreement, writing that Washington expected a “complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.” On Friday, he rejected Iran’s claim that the United States had entered the agreement out of desperation and said the negotiation period would “play out.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not tolerate attacks on its soldiers or territory and would exact a “very heavy price” from Hezbollah. He also said Israeli forces would remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary to protect northern communities.
Hezbollah, in turn, accused Israel of intensifying attacks and said its fighters would continue targeting Israeli troops. France’s foreign minister called on the United States to press Israel to halt hostilities, while also urging Hezbollah to stop attacks and begin disarming.
The immediate question is whether Friday’s reported Lebanon truce can hold long enough for the postponed U.S.-Iran talks to restart. If fighting resumes, the agreement that was intended to open a diplomatic window could instead face a widening test before negotiations fully begin.
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