A new diplomatic breakthrough may ease tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border after Lebanon announced that Hezbollah has agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal for a mutual halt to attacks with Israel.
According to the Lebanese embassy in Washington, Hezbollah has accepted an arrangement under which Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs would cease in exchange for the Iran-backed group stopping rocket and drone attacks against Israel. Lebanese officials said the framework is expected to expand beyond Beirut and eventually cover all Lebanese territory.
The development follows intensive diplomatic efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that he had spoken with both Israeli and Hezbollah representatives and secured commitments from both sides to stop hostilities.
“I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” Trump wrote, adding that Israeli forces would not move into Beirut and that troops already en route had been turned back. He also claimed that Hezbollah representatives had agreed to end attacks, while Israel would refrain from striking the group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the understanding but stressed that Israel reserves the right to respond if attacks continue.
Netanyahu warned that military action against Beirut could resume if Hezbollah does not stop targeting Israeli cities and civilians. He also emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would continue planned operations in southern Lebanon despite the agreement.
The announcement comes after Israel ordered strikes on what it described as terrorist targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs following a series of rocket and drone attacks attributed to Hezbollah. The strikes prompted widespread concern in Lebanon, with many residents reportedly fleeing affected neighborhoods after evacuation warnings were issued.
The situation also drew a strong reaction from Iran, Hezbollah’s principal ally. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that the existing U.S.-Iran ceasefire should apply across all regional fronts, including Lebanon, warning that any military escalation could undermine broader diplomatic efforts.
Iranian media reports suggested Tehran was considering suspending indirect negotiations with the United States over continued Israeli military actions in Lebanon. The reports also raised concerns about potential regional escalation involving strategic waterways such as the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to international trade corridors.
Despite those warnings, Trump maintained that diplomatic discussions with Iran remain active and are progressing rapidly. The U.S. administration has been seeking to preserve regional stability following recent efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The latest agreement represents a potentially significant step toward preventing a broader regional conflict involving Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and other actors across the Middle East. However, the durability of the arrangement will likely depend on whether both Israel and Hezbollah fully adhere to the terms of the proposed cessation of attacks.
With military operations continuing in parts of southern Lebanon and lingering distrust between the parties, regional observers remain cautious about whether the agreement can evolve into a lasting ceasefire.