Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a cease-fire Friday after a deadly flare-up in Lebanon threatened to derail broader efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
A senior U.S. official said the truce took effect shortly before 4 p.m. local time in Lebanon, following intensive diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Qatar and Iran.
“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire,” the official said on background.
The agreement comes after a sharp escalation that left at least 18 people dead in Israeli airstrikes and four Israeli soldiers killed in attacks by Hezbollah militants.
BREAKING: Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire starting on Friday, a US senior official says
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 19, 2026
The renewed violence forced the cancellation of U.S.-Iran negotiations that had been scheduled to take place Friday in Switzerland. Those talks are considered critical to implementing the interim memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran and ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments.
Officials fear that continued fighting in Lebanon could jeopardize the broader diplomatic effort to transform the temporary U.S.-Iran arrangement into a more comprehensive regional peace agreement.
According to the senior U.S. official, American and Qatari negotiators worked to broker the cease-fire with assistance from Iranian officials.
This story is developing…
🚨 JUST NOW: Iran just HELPED broker the new Israel-Lebanon/Hezbollah ceasefire with President Trump and Qatar, seeking to stop the firing on all sides
"A U.S. official says it was brokered by Qatar, the United States and with help from Iran."
"This is not a retreat for Israel… pic.twitter.com/0ndIVnmIPz
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 19, 2026
