A 10-DAY ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect at midnight on Thursday, accompanied by celebratory gunfire in Beirut but quickly overshadowed by reports of continued Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon, underlining the fragility of the truce.
The agreement coincides with renewed diplomatic momentum, as US President Donald Trump indicated that fresh talks between the United States and Iran could take place within days, raising the prospect of a broader resolution to the regional conflict.
“We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran,” Reuters cited Trump telling reporters outside the White House.
The conflict with Iran, which began on 28 February following a joint U.S.-Israeli strike, has resulted in thousands of deaths and triggered a surge in global oil prices, creating significant political pressure on the U.S. administration.
Washington has struggled to secure the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, both of which remain central to ongoing negotiations.
Trump said Iran had offered to forgo nuclear weapons development for more than 20 years, an issue that had stalled discussions during talks in Islamabad last weekend.
Signs of potential compromise have emerged, with Tehran reportedly considering a partial export of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. However, Iranian officials are said to be demanding guarantees from the United Nations and a permanent ceasefire before agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In Beirut, the ceasefire was initially marked by bursts of celebratory gunfire and rockets that echoed across parts of the city for around half an hour after midnight. Despite the apparent relief, tensions remained high.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Israeli artillery continued to strike areas in the south roughly 30 minutes after the ceasefire took effect, with machine-gun fire also heard.
The Israeli military urged residents not to return to areas south of the Litani River, stating that its forces remain deployed in response to what it described as ongoing Hezbollah militant activity.
In a statement posted in Arabic, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee emphasised that operations would continue under current conditions.
Hezbollah, for its part, issued a detailed account of its military actions throughout Thursday, noting that its final attack occurred at 11:50 p.m. local time, just ten minutes before the ceasefire began.
The developments highlight both the tentative nature of the Lebanon truce and the broader stakes involved, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation and secure a lasting agreement involving Iran. - April 17, 2026
