Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Ceasefire -
has reported that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire effective today at 4pm local time, according to a senior US official.
The news agency detailed:
“Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said on background, adding that negotiators for the US and Qataris worked out the deal with help from Iran.
“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.”
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Donald Trump has defended his agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran as more details of the memorandum of understanding have emerged. ’s global affairs correspondent, Andrew Roth, provides analysis on what Iran gains from the deal and whether the US can claim it as a success.
Trump Lashes Out at Critics of Iran Deal in Truth Social Posts
Donald Trump reiterated his defense of the Iran deal in a series of posts on Truth Social, criticizing those who believe the agreement signed on Wednesday is less effective than Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear deal.
“The War has diminished Iran! It doesn’t, any longer, have an Air Force, a Navy, Antiaircraft Equipment, Radar, or practically anything else, and yet the Dumocrats say that Iran is better off now than it was four months ago. Can you imagine getting away with that??? How stupid can some people be???”
“We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!”
Lebanese President Condemns Israel's Attacks as Dangerous Escalation
Joseph Aoun, the president of Lebanon, condemned Israel’s attacks within his country, describing them as “a dangerous and reprehensible escalation.”
In a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun stated that the Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon “effectively undermine all ongoing attempts to consolidate the ceasefire and end the war.”
“What we are witnessing today in the south and the Bekaa – an escalation of Israeli attacks and further killing and destruction – constitutes a dangerous and reprehensible escalation, particularly as it has affected dozens of innocent people, including women and children, and effectively undermines all ongoing attempts to consolidate the ceasefire and end the war, particularly following the recent developments between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
However, this will not prevent us from working to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire as soon as possible; this is what I have recommended to the Lebanese negotiating delegation for the forthcoming round of talks in Washington. There can be no compromise on this issue, as a comprehensive ceasefire is the prerequisite for discussing other matters, the most important of which are the Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the army and the return of prisoners.”
Meanwhile, a new diplomatic tension has emerged between the US and Italy after US President Donald Trump told an Italian broadcaster that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a photograph during the recent G7 summit.
Speaking to the La7 broadcaster, Trump stated:
“She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
In response, Meloni took to social media to deny the claim, posting that “neither I nor Italy ever beg” anyone for anything.
The Italian Prime Minister expressed astonishment at what she described as “completely made up” allegations by Trump.
“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time. I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also cancelled a planned trip to the US in protest.
He stated:
“The serious and offensive words of president Trump towards prime minister Giorgia Meloni offend all of Italy. For this reason, I have decided to cancel my visit to the United States scheduled for the next 21 and 22 June.”
More details can be found on the Europe live blog.
According to sources close to the situation, the US has communicated to Iran that Israel will not escalate attacks further in Lebanon.
An unnamed source told the outlet:
“Hezbollah violated the ceasefire. Israel has agreed to let it be, which was relayed to the Iranians, and it’s up to Hezbollah to stop.”
This follows a series of deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Friday, conducted in response to a Hezbollah attack that killed four Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has declared its intention to “defend” Lebanese territory and people against Israeli attacks and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement established in April.
“The Islamic Resistance will remain vigilant against any aggression. Its fighters will defend their land and people,” the group said in a statement.
It then added, “the enemy has never complied with any ceasefire agreement,” rejecting Israel’s claims that Hezbollah breached the truce.
Earlier today, Lebanon’s state-run National news agency reported at least 16 fatalities resulting from Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes were ongoing, while reports indicated intense fighting in the area.
Netanyahu Vows Continued Military Presence in Lebanon After Soldier Deaths
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement of condolence following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and pledged retaliation against Hezbollah.
He confirmed one of the soldiers killed as Lt Col Dor Gadliah Ben Simhon; the names of the other three have not yet been released.
“May their blood be avenged, and I wish a full recovery to the wounded in yesterday’s exchange of fire,” he said.
“Following the heinous attack by Hezbollah, which was a blatant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with full force.”
“My directive is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks.
The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and our territory.
As I made unequivocally clear, including yesterday: Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the settlements in the north.”
The IDF’s so-called “security zone” extends approximately 10km (over 6 miles) into Lebanese territory from the northern Israeli border, an area where thousands have been ordered to evacuate their homes.
Trump Claims Credit for Israel's Existence Amid Middle East Conflict
Donald Trump reiterated his assertion that without his actions, Israel would not exist today.
In an interview with American news outlet Axios, excerpts of which have been released though the full 45-minute interview remains unaired, Trump stated:
“If it weren’t for me, Israel would not exist today,”
He also described his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane.”
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Trump said:
“Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did.”
These remarks were made amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
In the same interview, Trump named China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi as the world leaders he most admires, describing them as “all business” and “a very tough cookie,” respectively.
Israeli Military Strikes and Fighting Continue in Southern Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported striking over 80 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of “dozens” of fighters.
The military stated that the overnight strikes focused on the southern city of Nabatiyeh, located within the recently expanded Israeli “security zone” in Lebanon, approximately six miles from the northern Israeli border.
Images circulating on newswires depict Israel’s air defense systems intercepting projectiles launched from Lebanon.
