Israel and Hezbollah Agree Ceasefire as US‑Iran Talks Postponed

Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced a ceasefire to start at 16:00 local time, a deal brokered by the United States and Qatar with Iran’s backing. The ceasefire follows intensive Israeli air strikes on Lebanon that hit about 80 targets and killed dozens of Hezbollah fighters, while Lebanese officials said at least 18 people were killed in the latest fighting and that the death toll in the renewed conflict has risen to 3,912 since it resumed.

The escalation also forced the postponement of a planned diplomatic summit in Switzerland between the United States and Iran. The meeting, which was to involve Qatar and Pakistan and address Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues, was cancelled because Washington deemed the continued hostilities in Lebanon unacceptable. The delay extends the current ceasefire by 60 days while diplomatic efforts continue.

Both developments underscore the volatile situation on the Israel‑Lebanon border and the broader regional implications for US‑Iran relations and Middle‑East stability.