June 19, 2026, 3:20 p.mJune 19, 2026, 3:46 p.m
Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia have agreed to a new ceasefire, according to a US government official. This should come into force on Friday at 4:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m./CEST). Sources close to Hezbollah confirmed the agreement but did not provide details. There was initially no official reaction from Israel.
Because of the mutual attacks, a first round of talks between Iran and the USA to shape the framework agreement in Switzerland, which was planned for Friday, was canceled.
The Lebanese news portal Al Mayadeen, which is close to Hezbollah, reported, citing unnamed Iranian government sources, that Tehran initially did not want to take part in the talks because of the Israeli air strikes in Lebanon.
Shortly before the announced ceasefire, the Iranian media threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz again, which is important for the energy industry. Passages through the strait had increased slightly in recent days.
Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of ceasefire violations
Israel and Hezbollah had accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreed upon in the framework agreement. The Israeli army said it attacked more than 150 Hezbollah positions from the air during the night and on Friday morning. The militia had previously fired rockets at Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, the army wrote on X. Four Israeli soldiers were killed, according to the military. Four other soldiers were injured in a drone strike.
According to the Ministry of Health in Beirut, 21 people were killed and another 39 injured on the Lebanese side. Eight of those killed were members of the same family, the statement said.
Netanyahu: Army should take tough action against Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then ordered the army to take tough action against Hezbollah. Israel will not tolerate attacks on its soldiers or territory. Hezbollah, for its part, accused Israel of never abiding by a ceasefire. It is Iran’s most important ally in the region.
Netanyahu wanted to take tough action against the army.Image: keystone
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of undermining efforts to end the violence and targeting innocent civilians in its attacks.
Framework agreement provides for an end to violence
The framework agreement between Iran and the USA agreed a few days ago provides for a comprehensive end to the military conflicts in the region, but does not contain a clause regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops. (hkl/sda/dpa)