Hezbollah Accepts U.S. Halt Plan for Beirut Strikes as Israel Keeps Southern Lebanon Operations
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 1
Hezbollah Accepts U.S. Halt Plan for Beirut Strikes as Israel Keeps Southern Lebanon Operations
11 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 1
Lebanon said Hezbollah accepted a U.S. proposal under which Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs would stop in exchange for Hezbollah halting attacks on Israel, with the arrangement later meant to cover all Lebanese territory.
Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deal but said Israel would still strike Beirut if Hezbollah kept targeting Israeli cities and that the IDF would continue operating in southern Lebanon.
Donald Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives and that troops heading to Beirut had been turned back, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio floated a gradual de-escalation plan on Sunday.
Iran had warned that Israeli action in Lebanon would violate the 8 April U.S.-Iran ceasefire and could disrupt indirect talks, underscoring how the Lebanon front is tied to wider regional diplomacy.
Oil reflected that broader risk: Brent briefly jumped nearly $5 to $97.44 a barrel on Monday before easing to $95.70 as fighting around Iran and the effectively closed Strait of Hormuz kept energy markets volatile.
With Iran's influence looming, can this unprecedented U.S.-Hezbollah deal truly secure a lasting peace on Israel's border?
After decades of a no-contact policy, has Trump's engagement with Hezbollah permanently rewritten the rules of American diplomacy?
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire of April 2026: Fragile Pause Amid Deep Divisions and Humanitarian Crisis
Overview
On April 16, 2026, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump after a successful meeting between envoys. The United States played a pivotal role in facilitating this deal, aiming to pause ongoing regional hostilities. The international community, including the UN Secretary General and European leaders, welcomed the cessation of violence and commended U.S. efforts, urging all parties to fully respect the agreement and comply with international law. While the ceasefire brought a tense pause, the situation remains delicate, with underlying tensions and the need for continued diplomatic engagement.