Lebanon Fighting Eases Following US-Iran Deal, Displaced Residents Urged to Stay Away from Homes
Fighting in southern Lebanon has calmed following the announcement of a US-Iran agreement aimed at resolving the broader conflict. However, an Israeli drone strike resulted in one fatality, and authorities are advising displaced residents to refrain from returning home as Israel maintains its military presence in the region.
Context of the Conflict
Lebanon has experienced severe repercussions from the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, with nearly 3,800 fatalities reported and approximately 1.2 million individuals displaced due to an Israeli offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. This offensive was triggered when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.
Pakistan, acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, announced on Monday that a deal had been reached, calling for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” This declaration has led to a relative calm in southern Lebanon, as reported by both Lebanese and foreign security sources.
Recent Developments
Despite the easing of hostilities, an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in Kfar Tebnit, a town in southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of the driver, according to local security sources and state media. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident.
Reports indicate that Israel has significantly reduced its military operations, although some artillery fire was still noted in southern Lebanese towns. Drones were also observed flying over Beirut and its southern suburbs. A Hezbollah official stated that the group had refrained from any military actions since the announcement of the deal, emphasizing that their stance on the ceasefire is contingent upon Israel’s compliance.
The official, who requested anonymity, asserted that Hezbollah rejects any Israeli “freedom of movement” within Lebanon. Additionally, he noted that Iran delayed finalizing the agreement with the US to monitor Israel’s adherence to the ceasefire.
Israeli Military Strategy
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, whose country is not a signatory to the US-Iran agreement, stated that Israel would not withdraw from security zones in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria. He warned of retaliation if Iran were to attack Israel in response to developments in Lebanon. Katz indicated that the security zone in southern Lebanon would be cleared of local residents and that all “terrorist infrastructure,” referring specifically to Hezbollah, would be targeted.
The Israeli military has been demolishing villages in southern Lebanon for weeks, claiming to act against Hezbollah militants embedded within civilian populations. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese Shi’ites have sought refuge in other areas of the country.
In Nabatieh, a city heavily impacted by the conflict, resident Mohammed Daqdouq expressed the challenges of rebuilding, stating, “We’ll need a lifetime to rebuild.”
Political Reactions
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a measured statement regarding the US-Iran deal, expressing gratitude to those who contributed to de-escalation efforts in Lebanon. He acknowledged the deal’s recognition of the importance of stability in the country but refrained from specifically mentioning Iran or Israel. Aoun has previously criticized Tehran for allegedly using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Washington.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah and leader of the Shi’ite Muslim Amal Movement, welcomed the agreement, asserting that it lays “the foundations for security and stability in the region, including Lebanon.” Iran, which established Hezbollah through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1982, had insisted on including a ceasefire for Lebanon as part of any comprehensive deal with the United States.
Municipal councils in southern Lebanon have advised residents to delay their return home. The Israeli air force has conducted extensive bombing campaigns in various towns over the past three months, and many areas near the border remain under Israeli control.
Displaced individuals like Mona Mazeh, currently residing in Beirut’s Hamra district, remain cautious about returning to their homes. She stated, “Frankly, we are hesitant; Israel cannot be trusted.”
For further details, visit the source: www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-15 15:10:00 • By the Editorial Desk
