A US-backed ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah was set to take effect Friday afternoon, as Washington tried to salvage a broader regional framework with Iran after talks scheduled for Switzerland were abruptly postponed.
Details of the Ceasefire
The Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire was set to take effect 9 a.m. Eastern Time/4 p.m. local time, but whether the ceasefire formally took effect remains disputed. A Hezbollah spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the group would abide by the ceasefire if Israel does, but ‘reserves the right to respond’ to any violation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video after the 4 p.m. local start time that he said showed Israel Defense Forces striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. It is unclear when those reported strikes took place, and Fox News Digital could not independently verify their timing.
US Involvement
The agreement came after negotiations between the U.S. and Iran scheduled to take place this weekend in Switzerland were abruptly postponed. The White House has not publicly provided a reason for the delay.
Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Netanyahu over the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. ‘Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,’ Trump said to reporters Tuesday at the G7 conference in France.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
