Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Halt Hostilities After Intense Fighting in Southern Lebanon

JERUSALEM: Israel and the Hezbollah militant group agreed Friday to stop attacking each other, officials said, after talks between the US and Iran were called off because of intense fighting in southern Lebanon that deepened doubts about the initial agreement to end the war in Iran. The apparent truce emerged after a heavy exchange of fire killed at least 47 people in southern Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers. Word of the attempt to halt the fighting came from two regional officials and a US official. It was mediated by Qatar, the US and Iran, the regional officials said. The three officials were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. A Hezbollah official said an agreement to stop fighting could be announced soon, but he stopped short of confirming it was in place. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment. However, late Friday afternoon Netanyahu posted on X that, on his orders, the army had "struck powerfully" 150 Hezbollah targets, killing dozens of militants. Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the military has not received different instructions from the government. He said Israeli forces were operating in a "forward defense zone" and will continue doing so. Hours after officials told journalists about the truce, Israeli artillery fire could still be heard from northern Israel along the Lebanese border, and a large explosion was seen erupting inside Lebanon, according to an AP photographer in northern Israel.