A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon goes into effect

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon began on Friday, April 17, 2026, after weeks of devastating war. The truce aims to potentially facilitate a broader deal between Iran, the United States, and Israel. While residents celebrated and displaced families began returning to their homes, uncertainty remains regarding Israel's complete cessation of strikes and Hezbollah's recognition of the agreement. The end to the conflict was a key demand of Iranian negotiators in the broader deal. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the deal as a "historic day for Lebanon" and expressed optimism about the war with Iran ending soon. It is unclear whether the ceasefire will hold.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into effect, with celebratory gunfire heard in Beirut as the truce began on Friday morning. The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, which also included Iran-backed Hezbollah in the cessation of hostilities. Joyous scenes occurred across Lebanon, with residents firing into the air to celebrate the end of fighting. However, the Lebanese army reported that Israel committed violations of the ceasefire, including intermittent shelling of several southern Lebanese villages. The Israeli military has yet to comment on these claims. The ceasefire marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on March 2.

Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to hold talks in Washington D.C. focusing on a ceasefire. The meeting occurs amidst ongoing conflict and questions about Lebanon's ability to influence Hezbollah, a powerful, Iran-backed group with a history of conflict with Israel. Hezbollah, formed during Israel's occupation of Lebanon, maintains its weapons despite agreements calling for disarmament and operates as both a political party and a social movement within Lebanon. While President Aoun advocates for state control of arms, Hezbollah rejects nationwide disarmament, raising concerns about potential violence. The talks aim to address territorial disputes and implement UN resolutions, but lasting peace remains uncertain due to Hezbollah's influence and refusal to negotiate.

Following an announced ceasefire agreement, residents of Beirut, Lebanon, are expressing skepticism regarding Israel's commitment to upholding the terms. The agreement, announced by then-President Trump, aimed to halt hostilities between Israel and groups within Lebanon. This wariness stems from a lack of trust in Israel's past actions and adherence to previous agreements. The Lebanese people's apprehension highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the deep-seated tensions that persist in the region. The situation underscores the need for continued monitoring and verification to ensure the ceasefire's durability and prevent renewed conflict.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, starting Thursday at 5 PM EST, as announced by US President Donald Trump. The agreement follows conversations between Trump and the leaders of both countries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon. Trump stated he will invite both leaders to the White House for talks, aiming to achieve peace between the two nations, marking the first significant discussions since 1983. This ceasefire may also alleviate a point of contention in the broader US truce with Iran, which had previously requested the truce extend to Lebanon. The goal of the ceasefire is to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Following a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US between Israel and Hezbollah, set to begin on April 16, 2026, displaced Lebanese citizens are hesitant to return to their homes. While some, like Abu Haidar, are eager to return to villages near the border, many others in Beirut express distrust in the ceasefire's stability. Having experienced previous ceasefire violations, many evacuees whose homes were damaged or destroyed plan to remain in Beirut. They are waiting for a more permanent agreement before risking a return to the war-torn south of Lebanon. The atmosphere contrasts sharply with the joyous return after a previous ceasefire in 2024.

Following a tentative ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran in April 2026, Israel escalated attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in over 200 deaths and 1,000 injuries in Beirut and other areas. Israel claimed to target Hezbollah sites, including killing an aide to the group's leader, while Lebanese officials reported many civilian casualties. Hezbollah retaliated with missile strikes into Israel, causing no reported serious casualties. This recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began after the U.S. and Israel initiated a war against Iran in late February. The fighting resumed after a 15-month ceasefire, with Hezbollah citing retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader and Israeli aggression as justification for their attacks. A debate exists regarding whether the U.S.-Iran ceasefire applies to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Following large-scale Israeli attacks on Lebanon that resulted in significant casualties, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his cabinet to begin ceasefire talks with Lebanon. The announcement comes after repeated calls from Beirut for direct talks. Despite the call for negotiations, Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, while Hezbollah also fires missiles into Israel. Analysts suggest the recent Israeli attacks may be an attempt to derail upcoming peace talks between the United States and Iran, as Iran has stated that a ceasefire in both Iran and Lebanon is a prerequisite for negotiations. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran, with Hezbollah acting in defense of Tehran.

Following a newly established US-Iran ceasefire, Israel's intense bombing of Beirut and other Lebanese cities has drawn international condemnation and threatened to destabilize the truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for negotiations with Lebanon focusing on Hezbollah's disarmament, but did not commit to halting the strikes, which have killed over 200 people in the past 24 hours. Iran has warned it may close the Strait of Hormuz again in response to the Israeli attacks, jeopardizing US-Iranian talks scheduled in Pakistan. Despite claims of progress by the US president, the ceasefire is in danger of collapsing as Iran insists negotiations are "meaningless" while Israel continues its bombardment of Lebanon. Pakistan has condemned Israel's actions and urged restraint.

In April 2026, a US-Iran ceasefire was announced. Prior to the ceasefire, former US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent warned that Israel could undermine the agreement. He urged Washington to restrain Israeli actions to ensure the deal's success. Shortly after the ceasefire announcement, Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon, resulting in at least 254 deaths. The article suggests that Israel's actions could jeopardize the US-Iran ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish relations, despite ongoing tensions and no formal ceasefire. The talks, potentially beginning next week in Washington D.C., aim to de-escalate conflict amid a fragile ceasefire in the broader Iran war. These developments follow Israeli strikes on Beirut and concerns over Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. However, US President Trump has expressed skepticism about Iran's adherence to the ceasefire regarding oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, technically at war since 1948, represent a significant step towards regional stability, though challenges remain.

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is under strain as Donald Trump accuses Iran of violating the agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated Iran is not allowing oil to flow through the strait, causing disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran cites Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon as a reason for the blockade. Despite the tensions, a US delegation is scheduled to meet with Iranian representatives in Pakistan for peace talks. Trump has asked Israel to de-escalate its operations in Lebanon to facilitate negotiations, while Israel insists there is no ceasefire and continues to strike Hezbollah targets.

Following Israeli attacks on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon are struggling to cope with a surge of casualties. The attacks, which targeted over 100 locations across the country, have resulted in at least 303 deaths and 1,150 injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The American University of Beirut (AUB) Hospital has become a central point for treating the injured, many of whom are children. Doctors are reporting shortages of vital supplies and describe the situation as unprecedented in its intensity, with many deaths and injuries caused by building collapses. The attacks occurred despite a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has intensified, with Israel striking targets across Tehran and Iran launching strikes on Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This escalation follows attacks on Iranian electrical facilities, causing widespread power outages. The conflict has severely impacted the global economy, leading to fuel shortages in Asia, stock market instability, and soaring oil prices. Amidst the fighting, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed in southern Lebanon, prompting a UN investigation. US President Trump claimed "regime change" had been achieved in Iran due to the deaths of Iranian leaders and expressed optimism about reaching a deal with the new, "more reasonable" leadership soon.

On March 30, 2026, smoke was seen rising from Beirut's southern suburbs following an Israeli attack. The strike occurred after Israeli warnings targeting the area. This neighborhood in Beirut has been largely emptied of residents due to forced displacement. These displacements have been a result of repeated Israeli attacks since the beginning of the war with Hezbollah on March 2. The specific target of the Israeli attack was not mentioned in the report.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon this week, striking areas beyond Hezbollah's control, including a residential neighborhood north of Beirut and the Jnah neighborhood in the capital. The Israeli military claims it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and killed senior commanders in Beirut. Strikes also continued in Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon. A health facility in the south was hit, killing a paramedic, and a building near Beirut's airport was destroyed after evacuation. These attacks follow Hezbollah's involvement in the regional conflict since March 2, after attacks on its ally Iran. The Lebanese army has withdrawn from some southern positions after an Israeli strike killed a soldier.

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans to leave Lebanon due to targeted threats from Iran and its proxy militias against American universities in the Middle East. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut describes the security situation as volatile, citing airstrikes, drones, and rocket attacks throughout the country, particularly in the south, Beqaa, and parts of Beirut. Americans in southern Lebanon, near the Syrian border, in refugee settlements, and in Beirut's southern suburbs are strongly encouraged to depart immediately. Commercial flights are available from Beirut Rafic Hariri airport, and the U.S. Embassy is offering limited emergency passport services. Routine consular services, including visa operations, are suspended, and travel to Lebanon is not advised.

Experts warn that President Trump's threat to seize Iran's Kharg Island, the hub of 90% of its oil exports, carries significant risks. Military analysts suggest a naval blockade might be a better option to pressure Iran. Seizing the island could escalate the ongoing conflict, prompting retaliation from Iran and its proxies, potentially disrupting global energy supplies. Experts highlight the difficulty of securing and holding the island, which is close to the Iranian mainland and vulnerable to attack. While Trump faces pressure to end the month-long conflict, analysts caution that seizing Kharg Island may not force Iran to capitulate and could endanger American troops.

In a March 30, 2026, interview with Al Jazeera, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed the United States' demands for Iran. Rubio stated that the U.S. insists Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. He also asserted that Iran needs to cease its support for terrorism. Rubio further explained that Iran's short-range missiles are designed to pose a threat to countries in the region, specifically mentioning Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The interview outlined the U.S. position on Iran's nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and military capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran's Islamic republic will eventually collapse internally, although he maintains that regime change is not the current objective of the US-Israeli campaign. He told Newsmax that the ongoing military actions are focused on weakening Iran's military, missile, and nuclear capabilities. Netanyahu claimed the war has achieved over half of its goals, but he did not specify an end date. Meanwhile, unnamed Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are reportedly urging the Trump administration to continue the war, believing Iran has not been sufficiently weakened. These allies see an opportunity to cripple Tehran's government.

According to U.S., Gulf, and Israeli officials, Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are privately lobbying President Trump to persist in the war against Iran. These allies believe that the month-long U.S.-led bombing campaign has not sufficiently weakened Tehran. The Gulf states initially expressed discontent over the lack of advance notice regarding the U.S.-Israeli attack. They also felt the U.S. had previously disregarded their warnings concerning the war. The Gulf allies are advocating for continued military action to achieve a more decisive defeat of Iran. The events described in the article are dated in March of 2026.

On March 24, 2026, an Israeli strike on a residential building in Bchamoun, near Beirut, killed at least three people, including a young child, and wounded five others. The attack occurred as Israel intensified its attacks across Lebanon, prompting new evacuation threats in the south. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli army claimed it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the area, while the Lebanese Health Ministry reported targeted assassinations overnight in Beirut. The Israeli military stated it targeted members of Iran's Quds Force, a claim they have made previously. These attacks are part of a broader conflict that began after a Hezbollah cross-border attack on March 2, displacing over one million people.

Israeli forces struck Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, on Monday, marking the first attack in days and claiming the capture of two Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon. Earlier, a strike hit Hazmieh, a Christian area near Beirut, targeting an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guard member. The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut after urging residents to evacuate. These actions follow Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, initiated on March 2, purportedly in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Since then, Israel has launched strikes across Lebanon, resulting in at least 1,039 deaths and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.

In March 2026, Lebanon is experiencing a second large-scale Israeli attack within two years, exacerbating the suffering of its population amidst a US-Israeli war on Iran. Approximately a quarter of Lebanon's population has been displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders in the south and Beirut's southern suburbs. The renewed conflict began after Hezbollah retaliated for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, ending a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024. Israel has intensified attacks on southern Lebanon and declared its intention to occupy the region, leading to increased frustration and fatigue among Lebanese civilians due to ongoing violence, economic strain, and uncertainty about the conflict's duration. Foreigners are said to be the most vulnerable.

Due to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, over a million people have been displaced in Lebanon, particularly after Israel issued evacuation orders for southern regions. This displacement follows intensified Israeli campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon, triggered by rocket fire into northern Israel. Displaced families, many from Hezbollah-supported areas, are struggling with overwhelmed shelters and are forced to sleep in cars or makeshift tents. The BBC spoke with displaced families, including children and pregnant women, highlighting their difficult living conditions amid the conflict. The situation is particularly dire as families face extreme weather conditions and a lack of adequate shelter.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that Lebanon faces a potential "humanitarian catastrophe" due to Israel's intensified bombardment and ground invasion, which began in early March. According to the UN, over 1.2 million people have been displaced across the country, including areas from southern Lebanon to Beirut. UNHCR's representative stated that Lebanon's shelter system is struggling to accommodate the increasing number of displaced families, who are living in constant fear due to the strikes. The attacks intensified after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The UNHCR expressed concern about the psychological impact on children.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned neighboring countries against allowing "enemies" to use their territory to conduct operations against Iran. This statement follows similar warnings from Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging regional states to distance themselves from the United States. The warnings come amidst an ongoing war that began on February 28 with US and Israeli airstrikes across Iran. Recently, Kuwait's international airport was targeted by drone attacks, causing damage to its radar system. Iran has stated it will retaliate strongly if its infrastructure or economic centers are targeted, emphasizing that regional countries should prioritize development and security by not enabling hostile actions from their lands.

In March 2026, Israel conducted airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure linked to Hezbollah. The strikes hit locations including the Al-Manar TV headquarters and a branch of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-run financial institution. These actions appear to be part of an Israeli effort to weaken or dismantle Hezbollah. The attacks occurred in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, and other areas of the city. Photographic evidence shows significant damage to the targeted buildings.

Tensions have escalated in the Middle East, with Iran intensifying attacks on Gulf energy facilities following an Israeli strike on an Iranian gas field. Kuwait reported a drone attack that sparked a fire at an oil refinery. The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, trapping a large percentage of crude and refined products within the Persian Gulf. Simultaneously, fighting has renewed between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli strikes hitting both southern Lebanon and Beirut, including city center neighborhoods. These events suggest a widening conflict with potential global economic consequences due to disruptions in oil supply.

Israeli air strikes targeted three Beirut neighborhoods and southern Lebanon on Tuesday, as fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese state media reports the attacks hit Kafaat, Haret Hreik, and Doha Aramoun in Beirut, with Israel confirming it targeted Hezbollah. The strikes in Aramoun hit a residential building, reportedly in an attempted targeted assassination. Since the renewed fighting began over two weeks ago, Israeli attacks have killed at least 886 people in Lebanon, including women and children, and wounded 2,141. Lebanon reports that over one million people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.

Since March 2, over 1,000 people in Lebanon, including 40 healthcare workers, have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks, which have also wounded over 2,500, followed rocket launches by Hezbollah into northern Israel after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli bombardment, targeting Hezbollah, has displaced over one million people and included residential buildings and infrastructure. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into Israel and ground engagements. The UN human rights chief's office has stated that some Israeli attacks may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the need to distinguish between military and civilian targets.