Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after an escalation in fighting there jeopardised the chances of an interim agreement on ending the war in Iran turning into a lasting Middle East peace deal.
US-Iran talks in Switzerland planned for Friday were cancelled as fighting flared in Lebanon, creating new uncertainty about the timing of negotiations vital to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.
A senior US official said just before 4 p.m. Lebanon time (13:00 GMT) that a ceasefire would come into effect at that time.
“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire,” the official said on background, adding that negotiators for the US and Qataris worked out the agreement with help from Iran.
A senior Israeli official confirmed his country was in a ceasefire, adding: “If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us it is not a time of war.
“The official also said Israel would keep its forces in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied an area along Israel’s northern border.
The conflict in Lebanon, in which 18 people were killed in airstrikes overnight and four Israeli soldiers were killed by Hezbollah militants, could weigh on negotiations because ending fighting there is a condition for the broader US-Iran accord.
