Israel intends to implement a so-called 'yellow line' in Lebanon, mirroring a strategy previously used in Gaza, according to senior officials of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The officials said residents of 55 Lebanese villages located within this designated area would not be allowed to return. The measure was discussed during a Saturday briefing where IDF officers confirmed that the model used in Gaza would be replicated in Lebanon.

The 'yellow line' concept was originally introduced in Gaza as part of a ceasefire arrangement, creating zones that local residents were prohibited from entering. IDF officials stated that even during a ceasefire, the military would continue to destroy infrastructure within the restricted area. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said the IDF would maintain control over all territories it had captured.

The report noted that many residents of southern Lebanon had begun returning home following the implementation of a ceasefire, but the new restrictions could prevent those living within the designated zone from doing so.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Israel’s attack on a key bridge in southern Lebanon, calling for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. According to the organization, Israeli forces destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge on April 16, just hours before a ceasefire was declared. The bridge had served as a vital route for delivering food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid to residents of southern Lebanon.

In a statement, HRW said the deliberate strike eliminated the last functioning access route for civilians and aid, raising concerns of disproportionate harm to non-combatants. The group urged that the incident be investigated as a potential war crime. HRW also called on governments to send a clear message to Israel that they would not risk complicity in war crimes by continuing arms transfers.

The organization’s appeal follows growing scrutiny of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability in the use of force against civilian infrastructure.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 2,294 since fighting began on March 2 between Hezbollah and Israel. The ministry said at least 7,544 people have been injured during this period. The figures were released on Friday, according to the ministry’s latest update.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes and military operations across several areas of Lebanon. The attacks have caused significant damage to civilian lives and property. The Lebanese health authorities expressed deep concern as the number of casualties continues to rise and confirmed that rescue and medical operations remain ongoing in affected regions.

The situation highlights the continuing escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with mounting humanitarian consequences across Lebanon.

An Israeli drone strike in Lebanon during an ongoing ceasefire killed one person, according to reports on April 17, 2026. The incident occurred as Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc sharply criticized the Lebanese government for engaging in direct talks with Israel, calling the move a dangerous concession. Despite the attack, Hezbollah expressed cautious support for the 10-day ceasefire, provided it remains comprehensive and applies across all of Lebanon.

Hezbollah stated that the ceasefire should mark the beginning of a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The group credited Iran’s pressure and diplomatic efforts for making the truce possible. In its statement, Hezbollah accused the Lebanese government of abandoning earlier commitments and warned that the ongoing negotiations could undermine national sovereignty.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Hezbollah’s stance may complicate Lebanon’s internal politics and the broader peace process, as tensions persist despite the declared ceasefire.

Displaced Lebanese residents have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon after a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel took effect. Tens of thousands traveled back to devastated towns such as Nabatieh, despite warnings from the Lebanese army to delay their return and Hezbollah’s caution that it remains ready to respond to any Israeli violations. The ceasefire, which followed more than a month of Israeli air strikes and ground operations, has so far largely held, though Lebanon’s army reported intermittent shelling and other breaches. A boy was killed by unexploded ordnance in Majdal Selem, and rescuers recovered 13 bodies in Tyre from attacks that occurred before the truce.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that ongoing military activity could undermine the ceasefire and urged protection for civilians on both sides. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the truce did not end Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the ceasefire a gateway to direct negotiations aimed at securing Israel’s withdrawal and prisoner recovery.

The truce could also ease tensions in broader US-Iran talks, with Pakistan and Iran viewing the agreement as a step toward regional stability.

Thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning to their homes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and towns across southern Lebanon after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect. The return started early Friday amid cautious celebrations, with heavy traffic reported on northern roads leading back to the capital’s southern districts. Many returnees expressed joy by flashing victory signs as they made their way home after being forced to flee during the conflict.

Despite the ceasefire, the situation remains tense and far from normal. People are still cautious, and the country faces significant challenges in recovering from the damage caused by the fighting. The ceasefire has temporarily halted hostilities, but rebuilding lives and restoring normalcy will take time for Lebanon’s affected communities.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has warned that its fighters will be ready to respond if Israel violates the newly declared ceasefire. The warning was issued through Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV, where the group stated that its fighters would keep their fingers on the trigger to counter any perceived betrayal or deception by Israel.

The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was announced earlier by US President Donald Trump, who said that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to begin a formal 10-day truce aimed at achieving peace. The statement from Hezbollah came shortly after this announcement, signaling the group’s distrust of Israel’s intentions.

The development follows months of tension along the Lebanon-Israel border, and the warning underscores Hezbollah’s readiness to resume hostilities if the ceasefire terms are breached.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon announced by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire follows weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that began last month. The Saudi statement was released through the country’s official news agency, emphasizing support for peace efforts in Lebanon.

According to the ministry’s statement, Saudi Arabia praised the political leadership of Lebanon for its constructive role during the crisis. The statement specifically commended President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for their positive contributions toward achieving the ceasefire.

The announcement reflects Saudi Arabia’s endorsement of diplomatic efforts to stabilize Lebanon after the recent escalation of violence. The ministry’s remarks align with broader regional calls for de-escalation and political dialogue.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, describing it as part of the main Iran-US agreement mediated by Pakistan. He reiterated that Iran has consistently emphasized the need for a simultaneous ceasefire across the entire region, including Lebanon, and expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people and government.

Baghaei urged displaced Lebanese residents to return to their homes following the ceasefire and stressed the necessity of a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, Israel has refused to withdraw its troops. Less than an hour after the ceasefire officially took effect, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported continued Israeli shelling in the southern towns of Khiam and Dibbin.

The developments highlight ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire, with Iran supporting regional calm and Israel accused of violating the truce shortly after its implementation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the ceasefire in Lebanon as a historic opportunity for peace, while rejecting calls to withdraw Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He stated that Israeli troops remain positioned in an expanded security zone to prevent attacks and cross-border shelling into Israel.

Netanyahu emphasized that his main objective is the elimination of Hezbollah, reiterating earlier intentions to maintain control up to Lebanon’s Litani River. In contrast, Lebanon has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The report, citing The Guardian, highlights the ongoing tension between Israel’s security stance and Lebanon’s sovereignty demands, suggesting that despite the ceasefire, core disputes over territory and security remain unresolved.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the ten-day ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon and called on all parties to fully adhere to it. The ceasefire, declared on Thursday, was described by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric as a positive development, with Guterres commending the role of the United States in facilitating the agreement.

According to the UN statement, Guterres expressed hope that the temporary truce would pave the way for future negotiations. He emphasized that all sides must respect the ceasefire and uphold international law, particularly international humanitarian law. The appeal is understood to extend not only to Israel and Lebanon but also to the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah.

The UN chief’s remarks highlight the organization’s continued engagement in promoting stability in the region and encouraging dialogue among conflicting parties.

Reports from Lebanon’s state news agency said that the newly declared ceasefire was allegedly violated less than an hour after it took effect. According to the report, Israeli forces continued shelling the southern Lebanese towns of Khiam and Dibbin despite the ceasefire announcement.

The report further noted that heavy military activity, including machine-gun fire, was ongoing in those areas. In addition, Israeli surveillance aircraft were observed operating actively over the western Bekaa Valley, particularly around the Rashaya region and the western parts of Jabal al-Sheikh.

The information was attributed to Al Jazeera, which cited Lebanon’s state media as the source of the claims.

The Israeli military claimed on Wednesday that it destroyed around 70 Hezbollah installations in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon. The statement, released on Telegram, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was on the verge of eliminating Hezbollah’s main base in the region.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military also intercepted a drone attack launched overnight from Lebanon. The IDF reported that Israeli naval crews shot down the drone and noted that since the start of the conflict, they have conducted about 40 defensive operations to protect the country’s airspace.

The developments reflect continued hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides engaging in aerial and ground operations as tensions remain high.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declined to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a historic dialogue between the two leaders. A Lebanese official confirmed to CNN that Beirut informed Washington it was not ready to take such a step at this time.

According to the same official, Lebanon has clearly told both Israel and the United States that it will not engage in any discussions until a formal ceasefire agreement is reached between Israel and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet convened on Wednesday to discuss possible ceasefire arrangements.

The development comes as Trump recently announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and received thanks from President Aoun for his mediation efforts, while Israel has issued threats of severe attacks against Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he expressed gratitude for Trump’s efforts to promote a ceasefire in Lebanon. The Lebanese presidential office confirmed the call, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a post on social media platform X, Aoun thanked Trump for his initiatives aimed at establishing a ceasefire and ensuring long-term peace and stability in Lebanon.

The official statement added that President Aoun reiterated the urgent need to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah “as soon as possible.” It was also reported that Trump expressed his support for Lebanon and for President Aoun personally. The exchange is being viewed as part of broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

The phone call highlights renewed international engagement in seeking to end hostilities in the region, though the source did not specify any concrete outcomes or next steps following the discussion.