Israel Hezbollah Ceasefire 2026 Agreed as Swiss Talks Scrapped

Israel & Hezbollah – (Web Desk) – Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement on Friday, pausing deadly fighting in Lebanon amid the Israel Hezbollah ceasefire 2026 developments that have reshaped Middle East diplomacy.

The truce came into effect around 4 pm Lebanon time. US negotiators and Qatari mediators worked out the agreement with support from Iran. Two Hezbollah sources and a senior Israeli official both confirmed the deal to reporters.

US President Donald Trump told NBC News that he personally asked Israel to agree to the ceasefire. “You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,” Trump said.

An Israeli official said that as long as Hezbollah does not attack, Israel considers it a time of peace. However, Israel confirmed it would keep its forces in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese security sources reported around a dozen Israeli airstrikes in the first hour of the ceasefire. No strikes were recorded after 5 pm local time.

Lebanon’s health ministry said 18 people were killed and 33 wounded in heavy airstrikes across 11 southern towns since midnight on Friday. The Israeli military also confirmed four of its soldiers were killed in Lebanon.

The ceasefire is directly linked to the broader US-Iran peace process. The Islamabad Memorandum, signed earlier this week, requires all military operations to stop on every front, including Lebanon, before deeper nuclear talks can proceed.

Planned technical talks between the US and Iran at the Swiss resort of Buergenstock were cancelled on Friday as fighting escalated. A Swiss foreign ministry statement confirmed the talks were postponed but said preparations were continuing.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the US would be held responsible for any ceasefire violations, including the ongoing fight in Lebanon.

The wider regional war began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, at least 7,000 people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon.

Oil prices have eased since the Islamabad Memorandum was signed, as tankers are again moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The body managing the strait announced it would waive passage fees for the 60-day negotiation period.

The deal also promises Iran sanctions relief, unfreezing of tens of billions in assets, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund. Negotiators now have 60 days to resolve harder issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump defended the deal against criticism from some Republican allies in Congress who feel he gave too much to Iran ahead of November midterm elections.