Israel and Lebanon have declared a ceasefire, but violations are being reported — Reuters
In Beirut, residents celebrated the ceasefire by firing celebratory shots into the air.
Despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the situation remains tense. Despite the official ceasefire, a Lebanese news agency reported shelling by Israeli artillery just half an hour after it went into effect, and machine-gun fire was also heard in border areas.
This is reported with reference to Reuters and the Associated Press.
The Israeli military command confirmed that it is keeping its units in their current positions. IDF Spokesperson Avihai Adrai appealed to residents of southern Lebanon, urging them not to return to their homes south of the Litani River until further notice. According to him, the troop deployment remains in place due to continued activity by Hezbollah militants.
For its part, Hezbollah released a report on its military operations for Thursday. According to the document, the group’s last attack took place at 11:50 p.m. local time—just ten minutes before the official ceasefire.
Despite the tense atmosphere, mass celebrations began in Beirut. Residents of the Lebanese capital celebrated the ceasefire by firing salvos into the air. In addition, despite warnings from officials, displaced families began returning en masse to their homes in the southern suburbs of Beirut and the southern regions of the country.
Israeland Lebanon held talks in the U.S. for the first time in 30 years — The Times of Israel.
Israel approved a record number of settlements in the West Bank
The leader of the Houthis in Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, called the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran a “great victory” for Tehran. He stated that Iran had gained the upper hand and was able to pressure the U.S. and its allies by closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia continues to evacuate its personnel from the Iranian nuclear facility, despite the announced ceasefire. Most of the staff have already been evacuated, but some remain on site. Moscow says the situation remains unpredictable.
Oil prices have surged again, approaching $100 per barrel. The reason is shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ceasefire with Iran. The market remains volatile following a sharp drop the day before.
