Relief in Lebanon, tensions rise in Israel after Trump US-Iran ‘peace deal’ claim
US President Donald Trump announced what he described as a "peace deal" with Iran, while Tehran said the agreement also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon
US President Donald Trump announced what he described as a "peace deal" with Iran, while Tehran said the agreement also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon. The announcement came just hours after an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh killed three people and wounded 16. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military targeted Hezbollah sites in response to the group firing into northern Israel. US President Donald Trump condemned the attack.
The conflict in Lebanon has lasted four months, with nearly 3,800 people killed and nearly 12,000 wounded. Many Hezbollah fighters are still believed to be buried under rubble. There is cautious optimism and relief, but large-scale returns to homes have not yet taken place as people wait for further details. The Israeli army still occupies dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, and Israeli officials have made clear they are not withdrawing as part of the deal.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu knows not to publicly defy President Trump, but he has been trying to sabotage the agreement on the ground, using claims of security breaches to justify continued attacks on Dahiyeh. He has a history of breaching ceasefires under different pretexts. The deal is seen as politically weakening Netanyahu, who has failed to deliver on promises to disarm Hezbollah, topple Iran’s leadership, or curb Iran’s ballistic and nuclear programmes. His image as Israel’s strongman has taken a hit, and his popularity is declining, though he is expected to continue efforts to hold on to power.
A new round of negotiations on Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon is scheduled for June 22 in Washington. Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Tyre in southern Lebanon and Nida Ibrahim from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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