Israeli-Lebanese agreements 20260619

Details: Category: Israeli-Lebanese agreements

Summary of developments regarding ceasefire agreements between the Israelis and the Lebanese government: June 19, 2026.

Includes Israeli escalation in Lebanon after the MoU was released, ceasefire between Hezbollah and its enemy.

Highlights from yesterday		Comments
Israeli escalation in Lebanon after the MoU was released Ceasefire between Hezbollah and its enemy.
US warns Israel to comply with Lebanon terms Vance had “very strong” words for Israel amid reported criticism from Israeli officials and pro-Israel groups in the US of the deal made with Iran, Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna explains from Washington, DC. “One must remember, too, that President Trump has reportedly had heated conversations with the Israeli prime minister, particularly when he feared that Israel’s operations in Lebanon would infringe on getting this memorandum of understanding past,” Hanna said. He noted that the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the US has been critical of the Trump administration for including Lebanon in the deal. “President Trump had indicated previously that Lebanon was a separate issue. However, in the memorandum, we see very clearly that it is part of the understanding and that Israel must comply with not carrying on operations in Lebanon,” Hanna said. “This has raised some questions among those Israeli-supporting members of Congress, of which there are many. However, the administration [is] pushing back.”
US relationship with Israel is ‘volatile’ and ‘dangerous’ Political analyst Harlan Ullman says there is a “great split” between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the US-Iran MoU. “Netanyahu is furious. He’s out to break this deal,” Ullman, chairman of the strategic advisory firm The Killowen Group, said. Netanyahu has refrained from publicly criticizing the deal, but media reports and observers say the Israeli leader is angry about the deal, which he believes could damage his chances of re-election in an October vote. “By [Trump] calling out Netanyahu, by saying that he – Trump – controls all the shots, it’s giving rise to support an opposition candidate to Netanyahu when the elections come this fall,” Ullman said.
Israeli diplomat says country committed to Lebanon ‘ceasefire’ Israel’s ambassador to the US says the country “remains committed” to the ceasefire with Lebanon, which it has routinely violated since it was brokered last month. “If Hezbollah does not violate the agreement, it will be kept,” Yechiel Leiter said in a post on X. “Under all circumstances, Israel retains its right to respond to attacks against it and to thwart threats to its territory, citizens and soldiers.” The US-Iran MoU stipulates that the war is to end on all fronts, including in Lebanon. But Netanyahu has promised to keep the country’s military in southern Lebanon.		“remains committed” Late 2024 to Early 2025: Immediately following the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel continued military operations, with the UN documenting over 7,500 airspace and 2,500 ground violations by November 2025. Late 2025: The Lebanese government formally filed a complaint with the UN Security Council detailing 2,036 Israeli violations between October and December 2025 alone, citing persistent air strikes and restricted access to southern villages. February 2026: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recorded 50 air strikes in a single month following the truce, marking one of the heaviest surges in Israeli military action up to that point. April 2026: Following a US-brokered ten-day truce in mid-April, Lebanese researchers documented 220 Israeli ceasefire breaches within a single 48-hour window. June 2026: Iranian officials reported that Israeli forces committed 84 ceasefire violations in a span of just two days leading up to mid-June. Gaza Total Violations (Oct 10, 2025 to Mid-June 2026): 3,269 April 2026 alone: 377 violations, resulting in 111 deaths and 376 injuries
‘Israel has had its way, and we’ve seen the results’ Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center think tank, says the Trump administration is in a “very strong position” to push back against Israel if the US ally tries to undermine the agreement with Iran. “The US has enormous leverage over Israel, and it’s always had that leverage,” Slavin says. “The other thing is that the United States twice went to war against Iran at Israel’s side,” she explained, referring to the US-Israeli war launched in late February and the 12-day war in June 2025. “I think that the Trump administration is in a very strong position to tell [Netanyahu], ‘Well we tried it, it didn’t work out, and now you better not rock the boat’,” Slavin said.
Israel says it ‘continues to strike Hezbollah’ in southern Lebanon Israel’s military says it is continuing to carry out attacks against Hezbollah members and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, despite the US-Iran MoU calling for a halt to attacks on the country. In a statement, Israel’s military also acknowledged carrying out numerous attacks on southern Lebanon overnight, saying they were a response to Hezbollah’s “repeated violations of the ceasefire”. As reported, Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israel’s latest attacks killed at least 16 people and left several wounded or missing across the Nabatieh district. This latest Israeli attack on Lebanon, which took place just after midnight local time, seems to be one of the most serious and concerted by the Israeli military since the interim agreement came into force nearly a week ago. There are reports of artillery and drone attacks in several locations. In the Nabatieh district, where different villages and buildings were hit, the Israeli air attacks seemed to continue until daybreak. It seems as though the largest death toll came from an attack on a residential building in the village of Harouf. There are reports that as many as 16 people could have been killed in these attacks. The Israeli military has also released a statement confirming that these attacks have been carried out, because of what it says have been breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, and that these attacks will continue.		This content is added as it reads like it is the Israeli way to stampede against the fact that Lebanon is included in the MoU. "... because of what it says have been breaches of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, ... " The Israelis are saying that they are not part of the MoU, that they are not binded. So is Hezbollah not binded when it comes to the ceasefire agreement, the Israelis were forced by Trump to engaged. Hezbollah was excluded and therefore not binded to the ceasefire. International law says that only parties who take part, and who sign the ceasefire, the agreement only binds to them, not parties who are excluded.
Lebanon appears to be ‘biggest potential threat’ to interim deal being upheld There is a real expectation that what happens in Lebanon in the coming days and weeks could determine whether this interim agreement is going to stand. Lebanon does seem to be the biggest potential threat to this agreement. Iran and Hezbollah have said the wording of this agreement, which talks about Lebanon’s integrity and sovereignty, means Israeli forces should quit the country’s south. There is no indication from the Israelis that they will do that. On the contrary, all the statements from Netanyahu and his ministers seem to indicate that they are determined to remain and to continue enforcing the so-called buffer zone. In fact, the Israeli armed war belligerent put out yesterday updated maps showing their areas of operation in the south, which show that they’ve actually been expanded. The war belligerent has also failed to rule out the possibility that they will carry out attacks if they deem fit, further north of the Litani River, further into Lebanon itself.
France says US must put pressure on Israel to stop hostilities in Lebanon French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says the US must exert pressure on Israel to end its hostilities in Lebanon. Barrot, speaking to French broadcaster franceinfo, said France was still working to hold an international conference to mobilize support for the Lebanese army. The statement came as Israel’s military said it was continuing to carry out attacks against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, despite the US-Iran MoU calling for a halt to attacks on the country. Barrot also said France would not approve the lifting of UN Security Council sanctions on Iran unless it is satisfied that talks on Tehran’s nuclear program meet its expectations.
Israel’s Ben-Gvir says all of Lebanon ‘must burn’ after deaths of soldiers Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Lebanon to “burn” after the army announced that four soldiers had been killed during fighting in southern Lebanon. “With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn,” Ben-Gvir said in a post on X. “I told the Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu], even in our private meetings: For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep,” he said, adding that in the region you needed to “go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror.”
Israel’s Smotrich calls to open ‘gates of hell’ on Lebanon Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a harsh retaliation against Lebanon following a night of intense fighting. In a post on X, Smotrich said it was a “tough morning” as the army announced that four soldiers had been killed during combat in southern Lebanon. “Time to speak with fire. To open the gates of hell,” he added.
Israel’s continuing occupation of Lebanon a ‘major hurdle’ before US-Iran talks The timeline for implementing the commitments under the US-Iran MoU is going to be up to the parties. Essentially, what they’ve agreed upon is the immediate flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. That is happening. Also happening, the US has lifted all its restrictions on Iranian naval ports. There is a cessation of hostilities between the two countries, but Lebanon remains the main question. The Israeli media are reporting that four Israeli soldiers were killed in Lebanon. Israel is continuing to occupy southern Lebanese territory, and there are ongoing clashes on Lebanese soil. For the Iranians, this is a red flag because they want to ensure there is a ceasefire and respect for territorial integrity, including in Lebanon. Whether that is included will be a major hurdle before these talks begin.
This was one of the most concerted attacks by Israeli forces since the US-Iran MoU came into effect. Israel attacked multiple locations in southern Lebanon, but mainly around the Nabatieh district. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has put the casualty figures from these overnight attacks at 18 dead and 33 injured. A broad swath of southern Lebanon was attacked – nearly a dozen different locations, mainly centred around the towns of al-Sharqiyah and Harouf. The wave of attacks began just after midnight, with artillery, drone and warplane attacks reported throughout the night and continuing into the past hours. We’re getting reports of people being newly displaced from the Nabatieh area and moving further north. This is a very serious escalation. The Israelis have confirmed they carried out a number of attacks, blaming Hezbollah for what they claim were breaches of the ceasefire and saying these attacks will continue if they feel they are necessary.
Israel’s defense minister reiterates plan for military to stay in Lebanon Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has said Israeli troops will remain in a so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon, extending from “the coastline to the heights of Beaufort”. In a post on X paying tribute to four Israeli soldiers recently killed in combat in southern Lebanon, Katz said, “We will not allow harm to our soldiers and citizens, and any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah will be met with great force.”
25 vessels cross Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal, data shows A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April, according to data from maritime tracking firm AXSMarine. After the US and Iran agreed to a preliminary agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, passage through the waterway saw its highest single-day figure since April 18, when Iran briefly reopened the passage to commercial traffic.
Netanyahu says Israeli army will stay in Lebanon ‘as long as necessary’ Israeli troops will stay in Lebanon “as long as necessary”, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promising to make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” for its attacks. “Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu said in a statement on social media, after the military announced the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Lebanon. “Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary for the protection of the communities of the north,” he added.		‘as long as necessary’ Gaza: 1967- 2005 colonized Gaza: 2007 to present occupied as it is part of the occupied Palestinian Territory Lebanon: 1982-2000
Hezbollah says will ‘defend their land, people’ against Israeli attacks Hezbollah has pledged to defend Lebanon’s territory and people against Israeli attacks, accusing its foe of violating a ceasefire in place since April 16. “The Islamic Resistance will remain vigilant against any aggression. Its fighters will defend their land and people,” the Iran-backed armed group said in a statement, refuting Israeli accusations that it had violated the truce, and insisting “the enemy has never complied with any ceasefire agreement.” Bur Netanyahu had said that Israeli troops will stay in Lebanon “as long as necessary,” promising to make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” for its attacks. Despite the US-Iran MoU calling for a halt to its offensive against Lebanon, Israel’s military says it will continue to carry out attacks against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in the country’s south.
Further Israeli attacks on Lebanon could impede US-Iran negotiations If Israel continues to occupy and launch attacks on southern Lebanon, it could severely impede negotiations between the US and Iran, says defense analyst Alex Alfirraz Scheers. While US officials have sought to minimize the impact of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, the Iranians have steadily maintained that “the ceasefire between the US and Iran is closely interlinked, if not inextricable, from what’s going on in the Lebanese front,” Alfirraz Scheers said. “So, it is very possible that Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and beyond … could prove to be a serious obstacle to how negotiations between the US and Iran actually flow going forward.” The analyst said it remains unclear whether the US could actually exert sufficient pressure on Israel to rein in its troops. This is because the Israelis see this “as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally rid themselves of the Hezbollah threat”, he said, adding that Netanyahu, his allies and Israeli parties across the political spectrum adamantly oppose halting operations in southern Lebanon and – if anything – want to launch further ones there.
‘Pretty evident’ no ceasefire exists in Lebanon In the US media it was reported that JD Vance was going to the signing venue in Switzerland, that those who would join him where at Joint Base Andrews with Air Force Two on the tarmac with JD Vance’s staff ready to take off, and then suddenly it was postponed, and JD Vance said he was coming here. That leads anyone to believe that it’s definitely the Iranian side that has a problem. Why did the Iranian side have a problem? Two theories are floating around. One, the supreme leader was very reluctant for this, the MoU, to be signed; perhaps he does not want there to be a photo opportunity with JD Vance, perhaps that’s something that goes a little too far for the Iranians at this point. The other factor is Lebanon. It’s covered by this memorandum of understanding; there’s supposed to be a ceasefire, but it’s pretty evident there isn’t.
Netanyahu dealing with ‘lose-lose’ situation in southern Lebanon Cyrus Schayegh, a professor of international history and politics at the Geneva Graduate Institute, explained that Netanyahu is in a “lose-lose” situation in southern Lebanon: Either continue attacks and deal with Trump’s wrath, or stop and “incur the wrath of the Israeli public”. “Now the United States can and probably will try to put more pressure on the Israelis to stop. The question is whether that will be enough for the Iranians. Exactly what is enough for the Iranians remains to be seen,” Schayegh explained. He added that the US could start to threaten “real action” to pressure Netanyahu to cease his attacks on southern Lebanon by using financial and military tools. “Basically downgrading some sort of military relationship with the Israelis, in the long term. So, there is a whole set of tools that they have and I would like to remind … you that back in 1991 the United States did indeed really use these tools vis-a-vis Israel,” he said.
Lebanon’s president slams ‘dangerous, reprehensible escalation’ from Israel Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has said Israel’s intensified attacks in Lebanon’s south and Bekaa Valley in the east are jeopardising ongoing peace efforts, but that Lebanon will keep pursuing a “comprehensive ceasefire”. “What we are witnessing today in the south and the Bekaa Valley – the expansion of Israeli attacks and the increased killing and destruction – constitutes a dangerous and reprehensible escalation,” said Aoun, in comments carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency. He added that the attacks, affecting dozens of civilians, including women and children, undermine “all ongoing efforts to solidify the ceasefire and end the war, particularly after the recent developments between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran”. “This will not prevent us from working towards achieving a comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible, and this is what I have recommended to the Lebanese negotiating delegation in the upcoming round of talks in Washington,” Aoun added.
Iran’s FM spokesman condemns Israel’s ‘continued war-making’ in Lebanon, says US bears responsibility Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has denounced Israel’s latest attacks in Lebanon, saying Israel’s “continued war-making” would have “serious and immediate consequences”. In comments posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel, Baghaei said the US bears direct responsibility for the Israeli attacks, citing the first article of the US-Iran MoU, which calls for an end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. He said Iran would take the necessary measures to protect the interests, security and rights of itself and its allies.
Can US-Iran peace ‘deal’ survive Israeli bombing of Lebanon? Neither side has given an official reason for canceling trips to begin the awaited talks, which were to be held at the Burgenstock Resort in Stansstad, near Lucerne in central Switzerland. A statement from the White House noted that “the plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized,” adding that the Vance-led delegation is “prepared to depart at the first available opportunity”. However, it added, “the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable. As of now, the vice president is not departing tonight.” Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that there was no confirmation that Iranian negotiators would travel for the talks, because they first wanted ⁠to see signs that the interim agreement, which includes Lebanon in the US-Iran ceasefire, is being implemented.
Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire: senior US official Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at 4pm local time (1pm GMT) today, a senior US official has told the Reuters news agency. “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” said the official, adding that negotiators for the US and Qataris worked out the deal with help from Iran. “We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.”
Hezbollah says it implemented ceasefire with Israel immediately: Reuters Two Hezbollah sources told the Reuters news agency that the group has implemented a ceasefire with Israel. It comes after a senior US official told the agency that the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire set to begin at 4pm local time (13:00 GMT) today.
Araghchi says Israel only interested in ‘permanent war’ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the far-right Israeli national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for Lebanon to “burn” after a night of intense fighting in southern Lebanon killed four soldiers. “This is not a rant by a random genocidal lunatic. It’s a public post by the national security minister of the Israeli regime,” Araghchi wrote on X. “The genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv is a threat to all of humanity. It threatens all humans. Its only interest is permanent war,” he added.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of violating ceasefire Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee has said Israeli forces retain “full operational freedom” in Lebanon and will continue to act against what Israel describes as threats from Hezbollah. In a post on X, Adraee accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire “in an attempt to prevent our forces from completing the destruction of its capabilities”. It remains unclear if this refers to the ceasefire, reported by the Reuters news agency, which was due to take place at 4pm local time (1pm GMT), or an earlier ceasefire agreement. Adraee said the Israeli military had attacked more than 100 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including in the Bekaa Valley and Nabatieh, and claimed that “dozens” were killed in the strikes. The Israeli military will “enjoy full operational freedom to remove threats in every area where the Chief of the General Staff has instructed the provision of all capabilities to the military forces in the field,” the spokesperson said.
At least four Israeli strikes since latest ceasefire takes effect Half an hour after a ceasefire was supposed to take effect [between Israel and Hezbollah], there have already been four significant air strikes here in southern Lebanon – one in the city of Nabatieh, two in Kfar Tebnit and another in Kfar Sir. There has also been Israeli artillery shelling in a separate location. It doesn’t feel much like a ceasefire. Instead, there is a sense of déjà vu. Each time a ceasefire is announced, we see a renewed burst of military activity on the ground. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces retain the “operational freedom” to respond to threats in southern Lebanon and to act against Hezbollah. That has left many people here questioning what a ceasefire actually means.		“operational freedom” This can only be claimed when that is agreed by Hezbollah. But no one have seen the agreement, knows the details let alone the process to this ceasefire. If Hezbollah does not confirm that it accepted such a freedom then there is no ceasefire.
Senior Israeli official confirms Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: Reuters A senior Israeli official has confirmed to the Reuters news agency that there is a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. However, he warned that if Hezbollah attacks Israel, “then we are in war time.” The official added that Israeli forces would remain ⁠in southern Lebanon, where it currently occupies a large area.
Southern Lebanon hit by at least 12 Israeli strikes since ceasefire At least 12 Israeli air strikes and ongoing artillery shelling have been reported in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire was reported to have taken effect at 4pm local time today (13:00 GMT). Local time air strikes (UTC+3): 16:00 – Air strike on Kfar Reman 16:05 – Air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa 16:10 – Air strike on Kfar Sir 16:14 – Second air strike on Kfar Sir 16:17 – Air strike on the Nabatieh–Zibdin–Choukin area 16:20 – Second air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa 16:25 – Third air strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa 16:25 – Air strike on Jabal al-Rafie 16:36 – Air strike on al-Rayhan 16:41 – Air strike on Adshit 16:41 – Air strike on Masir Habboush 16:45 – Third air strike on Kfar Sir In addition, continuous artillery shelling has been reported in Nabatieh and the surrounding areas since 16:48 local time.		Reminder Late 2024 to Early 2025: Immediately following the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel continued military operations, with the UN documenting over 7,500 airspace and 2,500 ground violations by November 2025. Late 2025: The Lebanese government formally filed a complaint with the UN Security Council detailing 2,036 Israeli violations between October and December 2025 alone, citing persistent air strikes and restricted access to southern villages. February 2026: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recorded 50 air strikes in a single month following the truce, marking one of the heaviest surges in Israeli military action up to that point. April 2026: Following a US-brokered ten-day truce in mid-April, Lebanese researchers documented 220 Israeli ceasefire breaches within a single 48-hour window. June 2026: Iranian officials reported that Israeli forces committed 84 ceasefire violations in a span of just two days leading up to mid-June. Gaza Total violations committed by Israelis (Oct 10, 2025 to Mid-June 2026): 3,269 April 2026 alone: 377 violations by the Israelis, resulting in 111 deaths and 376 injuries
As the Israelis are testing US-Iran deal in Lebanon, Trump must rein in Netanyahu It is not another anonymously sourced report about a rift between the United States and Israel. This time, Trump's administration appears genuinely frustrated with Netanyahu’s war in Lebanon. The opening of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran calls for the “permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, but the Israelis are not stopping their attacks in the country. The Israeli military is continuing its deadly strikes in Lebanon and trying to advance further with its invasion, pledging to keep hold of the territory it has conquered, amounting to nearly 20 percent of the country. The Trump administration is making it clear that it is irked by Israel’s behavior.

US warns Israel to comply with Lebanon terms

US relationship with Israel is ‘volatile’ and ‘dangerous’

Israeli diplomat says country committed to Lebanon ‘ceasefire’

‘Israel has had its way, and we’ve seen the results’

Israel says it ‘continues to strike Hezbollah’ in southern Lebanon

Lebanon appears to be ‘biggest potential threat’ to interim deal being upheld

France says US must put pressure on Israel to stop hostilities in Lebanon

Israel’s Ben-Gvir says all of Lebanon ‘must burn’ after deaths of soldiers

Israel’s Smotrich calls to open ‘gates of hell’ on Lebanon

Israel’s continuing occupation of Lebanon a ‘major hurdle’ before US-Iran talks

Israel’s defense minister reiterates plan for military to stay in Lebanon

25 vessels cross Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal, data shows

Netanyahu says Israeli army will stay in Lebanon ‘as long as necessary’

Hezbollah says will ‘defend their land, people’ against Israeli attacks

Further Israeli attacks on Lebanon could impede US-Iran negotiations

‘Pretty evident’ no ceasefire exists in Lebanon

Netanyahu dealing with ‘lose-lose’ situation in southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s president slams ‘dangerous, reprehensible escalation’ from Israel

Iran’s FM spokesman condemns Israel’s ‘continued war-making’ in Lebanon, says US bears responsibility

Can US-Iran peace ‘deal’ survive Israeli bombing of Lebanon?

Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire: senior US official

Hezbollah says it implemented ceasefire with Israel immediately: Reuters

Araghchi says Israel only interested in ‘permanent war’

Israel accuses Hezbollah of violating ceasefire

At least four Israeli strikes since latest ceasefire takes effect

Senior Israeli official confirms Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire: Reuters

Southern Lebanon hit by at least 12 Israeli strikes since ceasefire

As the Israelis are testing US-Iran deal in Lebanon, Trump must rein in Netanyahu

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