Trump-Backed Deal: Hezbollah Accepts Ceasefire as Israel Issues Warnings

Background

Hezbollah has been firing rockets and drones into Israel since March 2, 2026, in solidarity with Iran, triggering a devastating Israeli response. The conflict has displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese and killed more than 3,370 people in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese government. Israel says 24 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed. On May 30, Israeli forces seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, marking their deepest advance in 26 years.

1. Mar 2, 2026Hezbollah begins firing rockets and drones at Israel in support of Iran.
2. Apr 16, 2026Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announced after U.S. intervention.
3. May 15, 2026Ceasefire extended by 45 days, direct talks held in Washington.
4. May 30, 2026Israeli troops seize Beaufort Castle and a ridge in southern Lebanon.
5. Jun 1, 2026Trump secures Hezbollah pledge to halt attacks; Netanyahu orders strikes on Dahiyeh; Lebanese embassy confirms acceptance.

Lebanese deaths

3370 people

Israeli soldiers killed

24 people

Israeli civilians killed

4 people

Ceasefire extension and direct talks

An initial ceasefire on April 16 was extended by 45 days on May 15 after US-brokered talks in Washington, the highest-level contact between Israel and Lebanon in decades. Lebanon’s delegation, which includes security and military officials, has prioritized a cessation of hostilities, while Israel demands that Hezbollah be disarmed. Hezbollah, which rejects direct talks, has relied on Iranian pressure to advance its objectives. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to begin on June 2.

June 1 diplomatic flurry

On Monday, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he had spoken to Hezbollah through intermediaries and secured a commitment to halt all attacks. A Lebanese official indicated that Hezbollah had conveyed through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri its readiness to stop attacks if Israel spared Beirut’s suburbs.

I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back. Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop.

Concurrently, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued a statement saying he had ordered the IDF to attack terrorist targets in Dahiyeh due to repeated ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah’s acceptance and lingering threats

The Lebanese embassy in Washington later confirmed that Hezbollah had accepted a US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks.

The Lebanese authorities have received confirmation of Hezbollah's acceptance of the US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks. As part of the proposed arrangement, Israeli strikes on Dahiyeh would cease in exchange for Hezbollah committing to abstain from launching attacks against Israel, with the ceasefire framework to be extended to cover the entire Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the group supported a full ceasefire as a precursor to the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Nevertheless, Netanyahu warned on X that

I spoke with President Trump this evening and told him that Israel will attack terrorist targets in Beirut if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks on our cities and citizens. Israel maintains this position unchanged.

He added that the Israeli army would continue its operations in southern Lebanon as planned.

Broader Iran war context

The Lebanon front is a key spillover of the US-Israeli war with Iran, which began in early March. Iran has demanded an end to the war in Lebanon as part of any comprehensive deal. Trump denied reports that Tehran had suspended negotiations, saying talks are “continuing at a rapid pace.” The success of the Lebanon ceasefire could influence the trajectory of the broader conflict.