Israel Keeps Troops in Southern Lebanon as US-Backed Ceasefire Leaves Hezbollah South of Litani Banned
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
Israel Keeps Troops in Southern Lebanon as US-Backed Ceasefire Leaves Hezbollah South of Litani Banned
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
Summary
Israel said its forces will keep firing and conducting ground operations in southern Lebanon, staying in a security zone up to the Yellow Line including Beaufort Castle despite the ceasefire announced a day earlier.
Israel Katz said the army would not withdraw yet, barred displaced residents from returning, and retained US-backed freedom to strike Beirut if Israeli communities come under fire.
The truce is conditional on a complete halt in Hezbollah fire and the removal of all Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese army meant to take control there.
The IDF warned civilians to stay north of the Zahrani River, while Lebanon's state news agency reported several people wounded in Israeli strikes in Tyre and Nabatieh.
Hezbollah has not endorsed the deal and has said it would not accept a partial ceasefire, underscoring how fragile the Washington-brokered arrangement remains.
The ceasefire lasted one day. Is Israel's plan for a Gaza-style buffer zone in Lebanon the start of a permanent occupation?
With conflicting truce claims, is the Lebanon war a proxy battle spiraling beyond even US and Iranian control?
Ceasefire on the Brink: Assessing the June 3, 2026 Lebanon-Israel Agreement and Its Regional Fallout
Overview
On June 3, 2026, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a new US-backed ceasefire aiming to de-escalate ongoing hostilities after a previous attempt failed, as violence continued and the prior ceasefire collapsed. Despite earlier efforts, Hezbollah maintained rocket and drone attacks, prompting Israel to expand ground operations and airstrikes. The current framework seeks to renew the fragile ceasefire and create a more stable environment, but persistent violations and unclear enforcement raise doubts about its effectiveness. This highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.