Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon after a new ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect, sparking fears that Tel Aviv is attempting to undermine the fragile deal, which is part of broader efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East.
According to U.S. and Gulf officials and diplomats, the ceasefire began at 4 p.m. local time Friday (1 p.m. GMT). However, reports from the ground indicate that Israel launched at least 12 consecutive airstrikes and artillery attacks on southern Lebanon after that time.
Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli forces killed at least 47 people and wounded 97 others in attacks that began at midnight Friday.
The ceasefire, reportedly mediated by Qatar, the U.S., and Iran, aimed to prevent an escalation of fighting in Lebanon from affecting wider negotiations to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A senior U.S. official confirmed the deal was reached through U.S.-Qatari mediation with Iran's help.
A Hezbollah official told Al Jazeera that the ceasefire would hold if Israel adhered. An Israeli official also confirmed the deal to Reuters: "If Hezbollah doesn't attack us, then for us, it's not wartime."
Yet almost immediately, Israeli attacks resumed, leaving residents of southern Lebanon questioning the true meaning of the ceasefire. Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett in Tyre noted: "It feels like a replay. Every time a ceasefire is announced, we see a new wave of military activity on the ground."
An Israeli military spokesperson declared the forces would retain "freedom of action" to respond to what they perceive as threats in southern Lebanon — language observers say allows Israel to continue airstrikes despite the ceasefire.
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for "burning Lebanon" after four Israeli soldiers were killed. Araghchi said Ben-Gvir's remark was not "the crazy words of a genocidist" but "a public post of Israel's national security minister," calling the Tel Aviv administration a "threat to all humanity" seeking only "perpetual war."
Meanwhile, negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) were canceled Friday after intense fighting. Iranian officials did not travel to Switzerland as planned, emphasizing that fighting in Lebanon must stop for talks to proceed. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also postponed his trip.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said necessary consultations were ongoing through intermediaries, and Washington bears direct responsibility for the current situation between Israel and Lebanon, citing Article 1 of the MoU signed June 18, which stipulates ending the war in Lebanon as an integral part of a broader ceasefire.
