Lebanon Announces Partial Ceasefire with Israel Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Beirut. Lebanon announced a partial ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on Monday. This move is expected to somewhat de-escalate the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and heightened regional tensions. According to the US Embassy in Lebanon, this agreement does not end the war completely. As per the agreement, Israel will not conduct airstrikes on Beirut and its suburbs, which are Hezbollah strongholds, while Hezbollah will halt attacks on Israel.

However, conflict continues in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army stated on Tuesday morning that it intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanon and reported no human casualties. US President Donald Trump announced this agreement for the first time, stating that Hezbollah has committed through mediators not to attack Israel. He also mentioned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to withdraw troops who were on standby for potential attacks on Beirut.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel's military operation in southern Lebanon will continue. Israeli ground forces are currently advancing towards the Nahr al-Litani, which is considered the deepest incursion in the last 25 years. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah stated that if there is a full ceasefire across Lebanon and the Israeli army withdraws, the group will support it. However, he did not make a clear comment on immediately halting attacks on Israel.

Lebanon plans to make the ceasefire more comprehensive in talks scheduled for Wednesday in Washington. If successful, this could pave the way for a new peace initiative to end the three-month-long war. Meanwhile, Iran has reiterated its stance that it will not accept any peace agreement unless Israel stops its attacks on Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted by saying, 'The US-Iran ceasefire applies to all fronts, including Lebanon.'

On Monday, Iranian state media warned that Iran might suspend indirect peace talks with the US and even end the ceasefire that has been in place since April. However, this has not been officially confirmed. On the other hand, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Esmail Ghaani, has warned of extending the blockade to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait after the Strait of Hormuz. As regional tensions escalate, oil prices in the global market have also been affected. On Monday, oil prices rose by approximately 4% in the international market.