Israel-Lebanon cease-fire could begin within 24 hours, Lebanese president says

June 04, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 04, 2026UpdatesReport: U.S. sources reject Hezbollah chief's remarks, say they follow 'actions not words' U.S. officials followed Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's Thursday remarks rejecting the cease-fire in Lebanon and said they would rely on "actions not words," U.S. sources told the privately-held Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International. "The agreement begins with de-escalation, which will lead to a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire," the sources told LBCI, adding that Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from a "pilot area" where the Lebanese armed forces will deploy. "This agreement represents a last opportunity, and missing it will carry a heavy price for everyone," the sources said. Israeli forces preparing for 'next stage' of Lebanon cease-fire implementation, source says Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFPMembers of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFPIsraeli forces are preparing for the "next stage" of implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon, a source familiar with the matter told Haaretz on Thursday.The source did not use the term "withdrawal," though estimates indicate forces are maneuvering in the field.Earlier Thursday, a source in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said the peacekeeping force had not observed an Israeli withdrawal. However, the UNIFIL source said that from the morning onward, it had not documented Hezbollah attacks and had observed a decrease in the scale of Israeli strikes.Hezbollah chief's rejection of cease-fire was coordinated with Iran, source saysHezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's rejection of the U.S.-sponsored cease-fire in Lebanon was expected and coordinated with Iran, a Lebanese source affiliated with Hezbollah said Thursday. Displaced residents wave a flag with the image of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in Zefta, southern Lebanon, April. Credit: Hassan Ammar/AP Displaced residents wave a flag with the image of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in Zefta, southern Lebanon, April. Credit: Hassan Ammar/AP Speaking to Haaretz, the source added that Tehran is expected to make a cease-fire in Lebanon a condition of any agreement with the United States. According to the source, it is not possible to reach an agreement with the U.S. and Israel without domestic Lebanese consensus. Hezbollah's stance on the talks is also directed towards the internal political arena, the source added. It is unacceptable, the source said, to impose truce conditions on Hezbollah that amount to an admission of defeat.A Lebanese source identified with the government told Haaretz that Qassem's statement was intended mainly to shape public opinion and the government's position, but in practice would become a test of reality on the ground."We know that the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, is in on the secret of the contacts," the government-linked source said. "Hezbollah will not admit defeat, will not announce disarmament, and will not agree to withdrawal. But what will determine what develops on the ground is whether, at the first stage, there will be an order to the military echelon not to attack Israeli settlements, and whether there will also be an agreement not to attack Israeli army forces," the source added. According to the source, there is no rush to declare failure or success. "Everything depends on what happens on the ground and on the success of the contacts with Iran on the one hand, and the American pressure on Israel not to escalate on the other," the source concluded. Hezbollah chief rejects cease-fire in Lebanon, says direct negotiations with Israel are 'disgraceful'Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the U.S.-sponsored cease-fire in Lebanon Thursday in a letter to his followers published by the group's Al-Manar network. People hold up portraits of Hezbollah leader, Naim Qassem, top, and late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Jiyeh, near Saida, southern Lebanon, in April. Credit: Hassan Ammar/AP People hold up portraits of Hezbollah leader, Naim Qassem, top, and late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Jiyeh, near Saida, southern Lebanon, in April. Credit: Hassan Ammar/AP In the letter, Qassem demanded a comprehensive cease-fire and rejected any divisions between northern and southern Lebanon. Israel could not have a free hand to kill people in Lebanon, he said, adding that the resistance would continue so long as the occupation persists. Qassem urged Lebanese officials to "end the farce" of direct negotiations. "The main goal must be Lebanese sovereignty, which can only be achieved through one solution: the end of Israeli aggression against Lebanon," Qassem said. "The main goal must be withdrawal from Lebanese territory, which would allow the army to deploy south of the Litani River and release prisoners."The secretary-general described the agreement as absurd, humiliating and disgraceful for Lebanon and said it was completely rejected by large parts of the Lebanese population.According to Qassam, disarming Hezbollah would mean destroying Lebanon's power and would pose an existential threat of annihilation to its people. The goal of the agreement is to destabilize Lebanon and incite divisions among the Lebanese, he said. Israel is seeking to achieve politically what it failed militarily, the Hezbollah chief added. According to him, the agreement reached in Washington is "a roadmap for the destruction of part of the Lebanese people and the subjugation of the rest."The security track talks, which Qassem described as a "fictitious cease-fire," is like "the devil's dream of entering paradise." "We have not committed to anyone not to resist aggression or respond to it," Qassem said. "As long as the aggression continues, we will deal with it with all the force we have. As long as our villages are not safe, are being bombed, destroyed, and our people are being killed, the settlements will also not be safe," the secretary-general said, referring to Israel's northern border communities. UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon was Serbian soldier serving at Italian-led UNIFIL base, ministries say; IDF blames Hezbollah for mortar fireA UN peacekeeper killed in southern Lebanon after a mortar strike on a UNIFIL position has been identified as a Serbian soldier, Serbia's defense ministry said Thursday.The soldier, Senior Sergeant Milovan Jovanovic, was wounded in the attack on the UN base in Marjeyoun and received emergency treatment on site before being evacuated by helicopter to the University Medical Center in Beirut, where he died from his injuries.The base that came under fire is part of the UNIFIL mission's eastern sector, which operates under Italian responsibility, prompting a series of statements from Italian officials.UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Credit: Gil EliyahuUNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Credit: Gil EliyahuItaly's defense ministry and senior officials condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the Serbian armed forces, while emphasizing the presence of Italian troops within the mission. Defense Chief Gen. Luciano Portolano said the strike resulted in "the death of a Serbian peacekeeper," calling it a "tragic event" and stressing solidarity with UN personnel in the field.Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also said he conveyed condolences "to the government of Belgrade for the killing of a Serbian soldier that took place last night in Lebanon following an attack on a contingent base."Israeli ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled condemned what he described as a Hezbollah attack on a UNIFIL base, saying it "caused the death and injury of UNIFIL soldiers," and called for a clear condemnation of Hezbollah and support for the cease-fire framework.The IDF said Hezbollah was responsible for the strike, stating that "the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched mortar shells that hit a UNIFIL position and killed a UN personnel member in southern Lebanon."A UNIFIL source told Haaretz that, based on the evidence available to the force, the soldier was killed by Hezbollah fire.Members of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFPMembers of UNIFIL, in armored vehicles, patrol the road of the southern Lebanese village of Tair Debba, April. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFPAccording to the military, overnight launches from the Al-Qatrani area "carried out by the Hezbollah terrorist organization" landed inside a UNIFIL position in the Dibbine area, killing one UN personnel member and wounding two others.The IDF added that an examination of the launch trajectory "clearly indicates that the fire was carried out by the Hezbollah terrorist organization," warning that "Hezbollah's launches endanger international forces and also harm UN personnel operating in the area."The same UNIFIL source told Haaretz that, as of the morning hours, they had not witnessed any Israeli withdrawal. However, from the morning onward they did not document Hezbollah attacks and observed a decrease in the scale of Israeli strikes.5 hours agoIsrael-Lebanon cease-fire could begin within 24 hours, Lebanon president saysLebanon's President Joseph Aoun said that following reports of a ceasefire agreement, Beirut is awaiting responses from all parties regarding guarantees and commitments. At a press conference, Aoun said implementation of the deal could begin within 24 hours of final approval.Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus in April. Credit: Petros Karadjias/AP Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus in April. Credit: Petros Karadjias/AP He added that Lebanon had proposed that "pilot areas" from which Israel would withdraw and which would come under the exclusive control of the Lebanese army include, in an initial phase, the Zoutar area in Nabatieh and Beaufort Castle, which was seized earlier this week by the IDF.IDF soldiers at Fort Beaufort, Lebanon, on Sunday. Credit: the IDF Spokesperson’s UnitIDF soldiers at Fort Beaufort, Lebanon, on Sunday. Credit: the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit"The agreement that has been reached is the last opportunity; otherwise, every party must bear responsibility," Aoun said. "The agreement today is different from the one of October 27, 2024, because it will be sustainable, and we rely on the role of President Trump and his administration."Hezbollah has not yet responded to the announcement of the agreement, but said its secretary-general Naim Qassem is expected to issue a statement at 3 P.M.RECAP: UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon; Israel and Lebanon renew cease-fire amid continued fighting and political tensionsHere are Thursday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's cease-firewith Hezbollah:■ Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza City, including members of the same family, according to local medics. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.■ Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew their cease-fire following U.S.-mediated talks, including the creation of "pilot" security zones in southern Lebanon from which Hezbollah fighters would be barred, according to a joint statement. Israel's ambassador to the United States said the cease-fire arrangement with Lebanon reflects a shared goal of pushing Iran out of the region and limiting the influence of its proxies.■ Despite the cease-fire agreement, the IDF issued evacuation orders for the entirety of southern Lebanon, warning residents not to travel south of the Zahrani River and stating that operations against Hezbollah infrastructure were continuing.■ A UN peacekeeper was killed and two others wounded after a UNIFIL position in the southern Lebanese town of Marjeyoun was hit by mortar fire. The force said it has launched an investigation into the incident.■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told a restricted security cabinet meeting that a cease-fire deal in northern Israel could be reached within days, though the IDF and several ministers opposed halting the fighting at this stage and urged expanding operations against Hezbollah.■ The IDF said a drone was identified near Kfar Yuval in northern Israel, triggering sirens in the Galilee Panhandle. No injuries were reported, and the incident was declared over. Sirens also sounded in parts of northern Israel over suspected drone infiltration, later attributed by the IDF to misidentification in one of the regions.■ Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned against internal divisions, saying enemies defeated on the battlefield were now seeking to undermine national cohesion and morale.■ A U.S. House resolution aimed at restricting presidential war powers on Iran passed narrowly, reflecting growing congressional unease over the conflict, though it remains non-binding.■ President Donald Trump said in a Wall Street Journal report that he would consider ending a cease-fire with Iran if U.S. troops are killed, and also said the U.S. would seek Iran's enriched uranium stockpile in any agreement.■ A Hamas operative has been indicted by Israel's State Attorney's Office over the alleged decade-long holding of IDF soldier Oron Shaul's body in Gaza. Prosecutors say Hilo stored the body after Hamas instructed him to keep it for use as leverage against Israel. Shaul's remains were recovered in January 2025 after more than ten years in Gaza.Hamas operative indicted over decade-long holding of Oron Shaul’s body in GazaThe State Attorney's Office has filed an indictment with the Be'er Sheva District Court against Ibrahim Hilo, a 46-year-old Gaza resident, on charges of aiding an enemy in wartime and membership in a terrorist organization, after he is accused of holding the body of IDF soldier Oron Shaul in Gaza for nearly a decade.According to the indictment, Hilo kept Shaul's body following its transfer to Hamas after the soldier was killed in Shuja'iyya during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Prosecutors say Hamas later instructed Hilo to store the body, which he allegedly kept inside a refrigerator at his place of business, aware it was being used as leverage against Israel.Oron Shaul, right, receiving the President's Excellence Award, in 2014. Credit: Courtesy of the familyOron Shaul, right, receiving the President's Excellence Award, in 2014. Credit: Courtesy of the familyThe indictment states that Hilo maintained possession of the body until October 2023, when he left his home amid the outbreak of the current war in Gaza. He is also charged with weapons-related offenses for terrorist purposes.Shaul, a soldier in the Golani Brigade, was killed at the start of the 2014 Gaza war, and his body was held in the Strip for more than ten years. His family conducted a long public campaign for its return, which concluded in January 2025 when the body was recovered by the IDF and Shin Bet.He was later laid to rest next to his father, Herzl Shaul, in a cemetery outside a designated military section.In the NewsFor a Quiet Cease-fire Day: An Ancient Village With a Dash of SicilyIsrair Flight Diverted to Croatia After Slovenia Refuses LandingBibi-ism: The Concept That Changed Israeli Politics – Mostly for the WorseHezbollah Rejects Lebanon Cease-fire as Israeli Forces Prepare for 'Next Stage'Where Was Cotton Domesticated? 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