Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire in Lebanon
(New files correct typos in title, no changes to text)
Written by: Laila Bassam, Pesha Magid and Steve Holland
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) – Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire starting at 4pm (1300 GMT) on Friday, a U.S. official said, after an escalation of hostilities in Lebanon sharply tested the interim U.S.-Iran agreement to end the Middle East conflict.
A senior Israeli official and two Hezbollah sources confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters.
“If Hezbollah does not attack us, then it is not time for war for us,” the Israeli official said. Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon, the official added.
But about an hour after the ceasefire took effect, a Reuters correspondent in northern Israel said Israeli attacks could still be seen continuing along the Lebanese border. Smoke rose from behind a Lebanese village near the border.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 47 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in Lebanon since midnight. Israel says four Hezbollah soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon in one of the deadliest attacks of the war.
The Iran deal requires the United States, Iran and their allies to declare an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Violence rose again throughout the week after decreasing when the agreement was first announced.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah earlier told Reuters that Iran had informed the group that talks with Washington could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire.
The senior US official told Reuters that the ceasefire was resolved by negotiators on behalf of the US and the Qataris, with help from Iran.
“Hezbollah and Israel agreed on a ceasefire,” the US official said. “Following the mutual ceasefire earlier today, we understand that Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.”
Israel, which was not consulted in the negotiations that resulted in the US memorandum of understanding with Iran this week, was angered by the apparent need for Hezbollah to halt its campaign in Lebanon, which it occupied after crossing the border in solidarity with Tehran on March 2.
The Israeli official said Israel has the freedom to act against emerging threats and challenges to its forces and territory.
Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Hezbollah would “pay a very heavy price” for the killing of four soldiers.
Israeli officials have expressed anger at the US-Iran deal, saying it does not go far enough to address Israel’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
DEADLY AIR ATTACKS
Israel said it carried out attacks targeting Hezbollah officers and infrastructure in various areas in response to Hezbollah’s repeated ceasefire violations.
Hezbollah has denied violating the ceasefire and accused Israel of repeatedly violating the terms of the ceasefire, including the terms of the US-Iran agreement. In a statement, the group accused Israeli forces of carrying out attacks that killed civilians, destroying homes and infrastructure, and continuing ground attacks.
FIGHT FOR HIGH GROUND
A senior Lebanese security source said that heavy clashes throughout the night were concentrated in the area known as Ali al-Taher hill, north of the Litani River; This area was strategically important high ground for Hezbollah, where Israeli forces were trying to advance.
Hezbollah said its fighters ambushed an advancing Israeli force near the hill, destroying three Merkava tanks with guided missiles and targeting the troops with rocket and artillery fire. Hezbollah said it then attacked Israeli forces trying to enter the area to take back the wounded.
Israel has seized a self-declared security zone in the south, saying it aims to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attack. Their forces are razing villages in the south where Hezbollah is said to be based.
Hezbollah continued to launch attacks on Israeli positions in the south this week, including using explosive drones that killed and wounded soldiers.
The Lebanese health ministry noted that 3,912 people, including 746 healthcare workers, women and children, have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli attacks since March 2.
Israel’s death toll in this conflict with Hezbollah includes at least 32 soldiers and four Israeli civilians.
(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Eman Abouhassira in Dubai, Maya Gebeily and Nazih Osseiran in Beirut; Writing by Jana Choukeir and Tom Perry; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Aidan Lewis, Alison Williams, Peter Graff)
