A ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Thursday at 23:00 Paris time, announced by US President Donald Trump following talks with the leaders of both nations. Heavy gunfire from automatic weapons and RPGs erupted shortly after in Beirut's southern suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold. No Israeli airstrikes were reported in the following hour.
US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on Thursday, stating he had excellent conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahou. The truce began at 23:00 Paris time, after a month and a half of conflict involving Hezbollah, which joined the war in March in solidarity with Iran.
Shortly after midnight, AFP journalists heard heavy gunfire in Beirut's southern suburb, lasting over half an hour. Footage shows displaced people returning to southern Lebanon, some waving Hezbollah flags. The Lebanese army and Hezbollah urged delaying returns until clarification.
Lebanon commits to "concrete measures" to prevent Hezbollah attacks on Israel, per the US State Department, while Israel reserves the right to self-defense. Hezbollah conditions compliance on Israel halting all hostilities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the truce and urged all parties to fully respect it.
Trump invited Aoun and Netanyahou to the White House in the next four or five days for their first meeting in 44 years. Positive reactions came from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and European leaders including Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
