Israel and the Hezbollah militant group agreed to renew their ceasefire after fighting postponed Iran-U.S. talks in Switzerland, according to regional officials and a U.S. official. The truce was mediated by Qatar, the U.S., and Iran.

Background

Talks between the U.S. and Iran had been called off after intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, raising questions about an initial agreement to end the war in Iran. Iranian officials didn’t travel as planned to Switzerland, insisting that the fighting in Lebanon must stop before the talks can take place.

The Israeli military said four soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in an attack on a tank in a village near the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. An explosive drone attack wounded another five, it added. Israel then launched multiple strikes against “Hezbollah infrastructure sites” in Nabatiyeh and other areas.

Hezbollah acknowledged targeting Israeli tanks and said its attacks were in response to what it called Israel’s own violation of the ceasefire. The situation has created a rift between Israel and the U.S., with the U.S. becoming increasingly critical of Israel’s actions.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.