A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced yesterday afternoon by Donald Trump, aimed at creating the conditions for a broader peace agreement between the two countries.

But the Lebanese army, shortly after the agreement was announced, denounced violations by the Israeli side in the south of the country, to which Hezbollah responded with bombing.

The US president said yesterday (Thursday) that he hoped Hezbollah, which is pro-Iranian, will “behave well” during the 10-day ceasefire.

“I hope that Hezbollah will behave well during this important period. It will be a great moment for them if they do. Enough with the killings. We must finally have peace!,” the Republican said via Truth Social, notably typing that last word in capital letters, as is his habit for emphasis.

He said he is trying to arrange the first meeting – at the White House – of Lebanese President Zoseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the agreement, as did Mr. Netanyahu, who spoke of an opportunity for “historic peace” with Beirut – but reiterated his demand that Hezbollah disarm as a necessary condition.

Accusations of ceasefire violations

Israel’s army warned that it would maintain positions where elements are deployed in southern Lebanon and demanded that civilians not return to the southern bank of the Litani River and areas further south.

And the Lebanese army accused Israel of committing “attacks” and bombings in violation of a 10-day ceasefire, while for its part Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli soldiers in retaliation.

The army referred via X to “violations of the agreement”, citing “several Israeli attacks recorded” and “sporadic artillery shelling” that hit “a number of villages”.

For its part, Hezbollah said that in retaliation it “bombed an Israeli military concentration near the town of Hyam” in southern Lebanon.

Iran welcomes ceasefire

Meanwhile, Iran welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, saying it comes within the framework of the current two-week-long ceasefire between the Islamic Republic and the US, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei “welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, noting that the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon was part of the truce agreed between Iran and the US, brokered by Pakistan,” according to IRNA’s channel on the Telegram platform.

Guterres calls for agreement to be respected

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the ceasefire “between Israel and Lebanon” and called on “all parties” to respect it “in full,” according to a statement released by his spokesman Stephane Dujaric in New York.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon” and praises the “role of the United States” in its conclusion, the statement said, adding that he “hopes that the ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations.”

“It urges all parties to fully respect the ceasefire and comply with their obligations under international law.”

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