Fighting continued between Israel and Hezbollah on Friday after the group, supported by Iran, rejected a U.S.-brokered ceasefire offer. Israeli forces carried out strikes across southern Lebanon, prompting residents to evacuate.
This violence has cast doubt on the agreement reached by Israel and Lebanon this week during talks in Washington. The ceasefire’s viability is questioned as Israeli military mandates evacuation, leaving over a million people displaced. Most civilians have no assurance of when they can return home.
The ceasefire depends on Hezbollah retracting from Lebanon’s border with Israel and halting its attacks. Israel is not obligated to offer immediate concessions and will maintain its military operations unless conditions change. Hezbollah did not participate in the ceasefire negotiations, and Lebanon’s government lacks the power to enforce Hezbollah’s compliance.
Friday’s evacuation orders affected Anqoun, a town 16 miles from Israel’s border and near Beirut. The town, previously spared such directives, housed approximately 2,500 displaced people until they were forced to relocate again.
Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, rejected the ceasefire on Thursday, labeling it a demand for Lebanon’s submission to Israel and a form of surrender. He stipulated that any truce must involve Israel withdrawing from southern Lebanon, which it has controlled since March.As long as the occupation continues, the resistance will continue,
Qassem stated.
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, showed no signs of stopping their campaign against Hezbollah. Katz asserted that Israeli forces would continue their operations in Lebanon and that displaced residents would not yet return.
The ongoing clashes complicate President Trump’s deal attempts with Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter. Iran has threatened to withdraw from peace talks if Israel’s attacks persist.
Reporting was contributed by Johnatan Reiss. Euan Ward, a Times reporter based in Beirut, covers Lebanon and Syria.
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