Iran has been pushing for a ceasefire in Lebanon, as part of its negotiations for the peace deal with the US. And now Israel and Hezbollah has agreed to a ceasefire, putting focus on Tehran's influence in Lebanon.
The ceasefire deal, brokered by the US and Qatar, took effect at 4 pm local time. A Gulf diplomat claimed that Iran was also a mediator in the negotiations, according to AFP.
This comes as ongoing talks between the US and Iran were called off Friday after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denounced Israel’s latest attacks in Lebanon, saying Israel’s "continued war-making" would have "serious and immediate consequences".
However, Israel asserted that IDF troops will continue to be deployed in southern Lebanon buffer zone and threatened to retaliate if Hezbollah attacks.
IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israeli troops have "full freedom of action" to respond to any threat in southern Lebanon. The troops are currently demolishing Hezbollah's tunnel systems at the Beaufort Castle area and Ali Taher ridge.
Israel also insisted that it is not bound by the MoU between Washington and Tehran.
This came as Israel reported four of its soldiers killed in south Lebanon in one of the deadliest Hezbollah attacks of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed to "extract a very heavy price" from Hezbollah for the killing of the four soldiers.
Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes since midnight killed 47 people in southern Lebanon and Bekaa Valley until this afternoon.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump declared, "We expect a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel. The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold."
