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According to a report by Reuters on Thursday June 4, 2026, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli military operations continued across southern Lebanon on Thursday, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding efforts to end months of fighting.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made it clear that military action would not stop immediately. According to him, Israeli forces will remain in areas captured in southern Lebanon and will continue carrying out operations against what Israel describes as Hezbollah infrastructure.
The latest ceasefire arrangement emerged after talks in Washington involving Lebanese and Israeli representatives, with the United States acting as a mediator. However, one major question remains unresolved: Hezbollah was not involved in the negotiations and has yet to publicly state whether it accepts the terms.
As diplomatic discussions unfolded, the situation on the ground remained tense. Security sources reported multiple Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, while Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said at least five people were killed in strikes on the town of Sohmor. Residents in Beirut also reported hearing drones overhead throughout the day.
Israel’s military issued fresh warnings to communities in southern Lebanon, saying operations against Hezbollah targets were continuing. The conflict has persisted despite several ceasefire announcements since April, with both sides repeatedly accusing one another of violating previous agreements.
The latest round of fighting traces back to March, when Hezbollah resumed attacks against Israel, saying it was acting in support of Iran during its confrontation with the United States and Israel. Since then, the conflict has become closely linked to broader regional negotiations involving Tehran and Washington.
Iran has continued to insist that any long-term diplomatic settlement must include an end to Israeli military actions inside Lebanon. Meanwhile, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force said the minimum acceptable outcome for what he called the “resistance” would be a complete Israeli withdrawal to positions held before the war expanded into southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the Washington-backed proposal as a crucial opportunity to secure a lasting ceasefire. He said Beirut would review the terms and consult relevant political and security actors, particularly Hezbollah, before determining its final position.
Details released by the US State Department indicate that the agreement requires Hezbollah to halt all attacks and remove its fighters from the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River. Notably, the statement did not include any commitment requiring Israel to withdraw from the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon.
Katz later reaffirmed that Israeli troops would remain in that zone, including around the strategically important Beaufort Castle, which Israeli forces captured in recent days. He added that Israel would retain freedom to conduct military strikes if it believed threats remained.
The continuing conflict has displaced an estimated 1.2 million people, according to Lebanese authorities, with large numbers forced to flee southern regions of the country. Many remain unable to return home as fighting continues.
Under the proposed arrangement, so-called pilot zones would be established where the Lebanese Armed Forces would exercise sole authority, excluding all armed groups. Lebanese troops have already expanded their presence in parts of the south under previous ceasefire understandings, although questions remain over how fully such arrangements can be enforced.
The ceasefire initiative has also triggered political divisions on both sides. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has reportedly opposed Beirut’s participation in the Washington discussions. In Israel, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the agreement, describing it as a serious error and arguing that Hezbollah would not comply with its obligations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also facing criticism from some political rivals who accuse him of yielding too much influence to Washington’s demands during negotiations.
Adding to the day’s developments, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon confirmed that one of its peacekeepers died from injuries sustained after mortar fire struck a position near Marjayoun overnight. The incident highlighted the continuing dangers facing both civilians and international personnel as the conflict remains unresolved.
At the moment, while diplomats speak of ceasefires and frameworks, the reality on the ground suggests that a lasting peace remains far from guaranteed.
