Lebanon and Israel Face a Fragile Ceasefire as Strikes Continue

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published June 4, 2026

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Lebanon and Israel have entered a new phase of diplomacy after a U.S.-mediated agreement to implement a ceasefire, but the first hours showed that a stable truce remains far from guaranteed, with Israeli strikes continuing in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah yet to clearly respond to the proposed arrangement.

The United States said Lebanon and Israel agreed after talks in Washington to implement a ceasefire aimed at ending hostilities. The agreement, however, is conditional on a full halt to fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of its operatives from the area between the border and the Litani River, according to a joint statement cited by Reuters.

Despite the political announcement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would continue striking Lebanon for now and would not withdraw from the south. Security sources also reported several Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, while Lebanon’s National News Agency said five people were killed in airstrikes on the town of Sohmor.

The development highlights the fragility of the agreement rather than the end of the fighting. Hezbollah was not a direct party to the Washington talks and has not yet given a clear final response, while Israel is seeking security guarantees in the south and Lebanese officials are calling for a broader ceasefire that protects civilians and opens the way to a lasting calm.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the Washington statement as a final opportunity to secure a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire. Beirut is expected to define its position after receiving responses from domestic actors, particularly Hezbollah, making the success of the agreement dependent on both internal and regional calculations.

The agreement also matters beyond Lebanon. Tehran has linked progress in its talks with Washington to an end to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, while the United States sees calm on the Lebanese front as a possible opening for wider diplomacy with Iran and for easing regional tensions.

Markets reacted quickly. Oil prices fell Thursday after Lebanon and Israel agreed to move forward with the ceasefire, raising hopes for a broader regional deal that could ease tension and help address the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz. But market caution remains because strikes have not fully stopped and the Iran file is still unresolved.

For now, the new ceasefire is a test of whether U.S. mediation can turn political statements into facts on the ground. If strikes stop and the Lebanese army begins clear deployment in agreed areas, the deal could become the start of a wider de-escalation. If attacks and responses continue, the ceasefire may remain more of a diplomatic headline than a reality.