Nabatieh municipality urging residents 'not to return to the city at this time'
The municipality of Nabatieh has urged its residents "not to return to the city at this time, under any circumstances."
"We ask you to be patient ... while we wait for the situation to become clearer and for an official and clear statement to be issued," it added.
Roads reopened in Zibqine, artillery fire in Zawtar al-Sharqieh
Excavators have begun reopening roads blocked by rubble in the town of Zibqine (Sour), according to a video relayed by our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, artillery fire targeted a road leading to Zawtar al-Sharqieh, in the Nabatieh district.
Displaced people return to Mashghara, hesitant return to Bekaa
Residents of the village of Mashghara, in western Bekaa, have begun returning home, reports our correspondent in the region.
According to a video shared by our correspondent, the displaced people are being greeted by Lebanese and Hezbollah flags, placed at the village entrance, to the sound of partisan songs. Displaced people from several Shiite villages have returned to inspect their homes before leaving again.
Returns to the western Bekaa Valley remain limited for the time being, as Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have asked their supporters to wait for the results of the signing ceremony of the Iranian-American agreement scheduled for Friday in Geneva.
The municipalities of Qlaya and Lebbaya have called on residents not to return to the village until official authorization is given by the authorities, warning of the fragility of the cease-fire.
Smotrich criticizes Iran deal, calls for strengthening the military campaign in Lebanon
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that "the Iran deal is bad for Israel." "The joint [U.S.-Israel] campaign has achieved many successes in weakening Iran, and these gains have not been in vain," Smotrich said on his Telegram channel.
"We must continue the campaign to bring down the regime ourselves, using creative means, and ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons," he added, calling for a strengthening of the military campaign in Lebanon. "It is in Lebanon that we will be judged. This is our war, these are our soldiers, and the immediate security of our northern residents is at stake," he continued.
US-Iran deal: Pakistan hails 'historic step toward peace'
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed a “historic step towards peace” on Monday after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end the Middle East war, brokered by his country.
“Today, the world witnessed a historic step towards peace. After the darkness of war, the sun of peace has risen,” the leader said, highlighting the “extraordinary” role played in the negotiations by Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, and also thanking the other countries that contributed to the mediation.
Israeli drones fly over Beirut's southern suburbs
Israeli drones are flying over Beirut's southern suburbs and surrounding areas at low altitude.
US-Iran deal: Pedro Sánchez calls for not forgetting 'cost' of war'
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed Monday’s announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, while also calling for not forgetting the “cost” of the war, which he described as “nonsense.”
“More than 7,400 dead, mostly civilians. Hundreds of homes, schools, and hospitals destroyed. Widespread price increases and billions of euros in losses, including in Europe. This is the cost of the conflict in Iran,” wrote Sánchez, who had always expressed his fierce opposition to the war.
“Let us celebrate. But let us not forget. And let us learn once and for all that war is a failure. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward,” he concluded.
For Egypt, US-Iran agreement could be 'turning point' for peace in Middle East
Egyptian diplomacy welcomed on Monday the agreement announced by the United States and Iran to bring a lasting end to the war in the Middle East, believing it could constitute a "major turning point" for peace in the region.
"Egypt hopes that this agreement will constitute a major turning point towards strengthening mutual trust, establishing new foundations for cooperation, creating an environment conducive to peace, and promoting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the remaining regional issues," the Foreign Ministry in Cairo stated in a press release.
Berri thanks Iran, US for including clause to halt Israeli aggression against Lebanon
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday welcomed the memorandum of understanding announced between Iran and the United States and thanked both countries for including a clause calling for a halt to Israeli aggression against Lebanon.
In a statement, the head of the legislature praised "the efforts and initiatives undertaken by Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to reach this agreement, which, through its provisions, lays the foundation for security and stability in the region, including in Lebanon."
More details here.
Saudi Arabia welcomes Iran-US deal
Saudi Arabia on Monday welcomed the agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at a lasting end to the war in the Middle East, while warning that "the security interests of the states in the region" must be taken into account.
The kingdom welcomed "the agreement reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and to begin, within 60 days, detailed negotiations with a view to reaching a permanent agreement," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on X.
It also stressed the need to reach a lasting peace agreement "that takes into account the security interests of the states in the region while respecting the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries."
Lebanon was not informed of deal between Iran, US
Lebanon was not informed of the agreement between the United States and Iran, which provides for an end to the war on all fronts in the Middle East, including between Lebanon and Israel, an official source told AFP on Monday.
"We were not informed of the terms of the agreement," nor of when the cease-fire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which began on March 2, would take effect, said the Lebanese official, who requested anonymity.
Araghchi: Israeli attacks on Lebanon must stop
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi told his Turkish, Iraqi, and Egyptian counterparts on Monday, in separate phone calls reported by Reuters, that Israeli attacks on Lebanon must cease completely and that the United States has a responsibility to implement the framework agreement aimed at ending the war.
According to his Telegram account, the United States has also been held responsible for implementing this agreement.
US-Iran: China 'welcomes' agreement, 'commends' Pakistan's mediation
China welcomed Monday's announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, while also praising Pakistan's mediation efforts.
"China welcomes the fact that the United States and Iran have reached an agreement on the content of the first-phase memorandum of understanding, and commends Pakistan's mediation efforts," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, during a regular press briefing.
Lebanese Army closed access to several roads in south Lebanon after Israeli artillery fire prevented displaced people from reaching certain areas
According to residents quoted by our correspondent, the Lebanese Army has closed several roads, particularly after Israeli artillery fire was used to prevent displaced people from reaching certain areas.
In Haris (Bint Jbeil), troops closed the road near the Haj Dib Attieh station due to the presence of Israeli tanks in the area. The army also blocked access to the road connecting Nabatieh Fawqa to Kfar Tibnit, as well as the road leading from Kfar Roummane to Sahel al-Maydana and Marjeyoun.
Israeli troops closed several roads to prevent residents from reaching certain localities. These are the roads leading to Wadi Hujeir, Haris to Tibnin, and Wadi Slouki. The same applies to the roads connecting Mansouri to Buyut al-Siyyad, Haddatha to Haris, Nabatieh to Kfar Tibnit, and Kfar Sir to Qa'aqayeh. Some of these roads have been reopened by the Lebanese Army and the al-Rissala scouts, according to our correspondent.
Furthermore, local officials in Zawtar al-Sharqieh, Zawtar al-Gharbieh (Nabatieh), and Shehabieh (Sour) have urged residents to wait for official statements from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement before returning to their villages.
The Israeli army also detonated car bombs on the road linking Haris to Tibnin, while forced evacuation orders were issued about car bombs on the road between Haddatha and Haris.
Iran-US deal: If confirmed, 'it's good news,' says Christine Lagarde
The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, stated on Monday that the announced agreement between Iran and the United States was "good news," provided, however, that "it is reinforced by developments in the coming days."
"We can only welcome it," she declared on France Culture radio, "especially if it enshrines the opening and clearing of mines from the Strait of Hormuz."
Lagarde noted, however, that the news would need to be "confirmed," because "we have been burned a number of times by the imminence of an agreement, but it seems ... that this time it's the real deal."
However, she observed "that the story is not yet over and in particular the whole question of uranium enrichment remains to be debated, agreed upon and concluded in the form of an agreement, since it was one of the 'goals' of this strange war."
Israel incessantly struck south Lebanon Sunday night
Several Israeli airstrikes were reported in southern Lebanon on Sunday between 11 p.m. and midnight, according to our correspondent.
The Israeli army carried out strikes on Shaqra (Bint Jbeil), Qabrikha-Majdal Selm (Marjayoun), Mansouri, Dibil, Shehabieh and Majdal Zoun (Sour), and Arab Salim (Nabatieh).
In the Saida district, a strike on Ghassanieh killed two people, and another strike targeted Tuffahta. After midnight, Israeli artillery targeted Nabatieh Fawqa and Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh). Fighter jets also flew over southern Lebanon.
On Sunday, according to a count by our correspondent, Israeli aircraft struck 26 villages in southern Lebanon, while drones targeted 13 villages, and Israeli artillery struck 14 locations, including one targeted by white phosphorus bombs.
For its part, Hezbollah carried out 28 attacks against Israeli targets in southern Lebanon.
Katz: Israel will not withdraw from seized territories in Lebanon
"Israel will not withdraw from the territories it has seized in Lebanon, and if Iran attacks Israel because of the events in Lebanon, Israel will retaliate," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Monday, as quoted by Reuters.
Israel targeting any movement around Nabatieh Fawqa, Kfar Tibnit, Mayfadoun, according to our correspondent
Gantz claims 'under no circumstances should Israel's freedom of action in Lebanon be limited'
"Under no circumstances should Israel's freedom of action in Lebanon be limited, nor should a withdrawal that would endanger the inhabitants of northern Israel be accepted," wrote former Israeli minister Benny Gantz on X.
"The agreement with Iran appears to be a strategic failure that will force Israel to engage in a political, military, and legal struggle in the years to come," he added.
Ben Gvir criticizes US-Iran agreement, calls for intensified military operations in Lebanon
Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the U.S.-Iran agreement on Monday aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, including Lebanon, asserting that Israel was not bound by its terms.
"Trump's agreement does not bind us... we are not a party to this agreement. It does not guarantee our security," Ben Gvir stated on his Telegram channel, in what was the first reaction from an Israeli official to the agreement reached on Monday.
"We must not settle for anything less than the dismantling of Hezbollah. We must not withdraw an inch from the territory that our soldiers have conquered and cleared of terrorist infrastructure [in Lebanon]," he added.
Tentative return of displaced people to Bekaa
A few displaced people have begun returning to villages in the Bekaa Valley, in the absence of an official call from Lebanese authorities, given the uncertainties surrounding the cease-fire in Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the region.
Cease-fire: Cautious calm in south Lebanon, displaced people begin returning to villages
A fragile calm took hold Monday morning in several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, following the announcement of the peace agreement.
From midnight until the early hours of the morning, Israeli fighter jets and drones were absent, reports our correspondent in the region. Some residents began returning to their villages to inspect their homes and belongings.
This fragile calm was disrupted by artillery fire on the outskirts of Nabatieh Fawqa-Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), with the Israeli army firing to warn returning residents against venturing too far into the area, according to our correspondent. Artillery fire was also reported in Yater (Bint Jbeil), in the Ksar neighborhood, as residents entered the neighborhood. No injuries were reported in this incident.
Early this morning, bombings were reported in Markaba and Khiam (Marjayoun), as well as in Haddatha and Rshaf (Bint Jbeil). On two occasions, the Israeli army launched stun grenades at Haris (Bint Jbeil). Israeli military vehicles were seen around the Beaufort Citadel in the Nabatieh district.
Meanwhile, returns to southern Lebanon remain limited and cautious given the security situation. Several residents reported having begun reopening some secondary roads between towns, after they had been damaged or closed following Israeli attacks, in order to facilitate travel and allow displaced people to return home.
At the same time, instructions and warnings have been issued to those returning to southern Lebanon, urging them to exercise extreme caution, particularly regarding suspicious objects, unexploded ordnance, and damaged or dilapidated buildings.
Macron: 'Robust, lasting cease-fire is essential' in Lebanon
A "robust and lasting cease-fire is essential" in Lebanon, says French President Emmanuel Macron after the announcement of the Iran-U.S. agreement.
Macron: Paris, London-initied international maritime mission 'ready to support' Hormuz reopening
French Prsident Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting U.S. President Donald Trump in Evian for the G7 Summit, declared on Monday that the international maritime mission established by France and the United Kingdom is “ready to support” the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following the agreement reached between the United States and Iran.
“The resources are in place and ready to be deployed,” the president said on X, noting the importance of an “urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The resumption of maritime traffic, without restrictions or tolls, is an essential condition for regional stability and the global economy,” he added.
EU Council president welcomes Iran-US agreement to end 'costly war'
EU Council President António Costa welcomed Monday’s announced agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, adding that Europe was ready to contribute to a “lasting peace.”
“I welcome the end of this costly war and the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the President of the European Council said on X, a few hours after the announcement of an agreement to end the war in the Middle East, including Lebanon, with a signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva.
UK, France, Germany, Italy 'prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear steps by Iran'
In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy declared themselves "prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear and verifiable steps by Iran regarding its nuclear program."
Oil prices plunge more than 4% after announcement of deal between Iran-US
The announcement triggered a drop of more than 4% in oil prices, which had soared since the outbreak of the war on Feb. 28 and the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's hydrocarbon trade normally passes.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped more than 4% and the Seoul Stock Exchange more than 5% on Monday morning.
US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Friday
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in a preliminary deal that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations.
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform around 5:30 p.m. ET (9:30 GMT) on Sunday. His post came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has served as a mediator, announced a deal had been struck early on Monday local time.
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
More details here.
Good morning. We are now launching our live coverage of news from the region.
We are now launching our live coverage of the news from Lebanon.
We will also be following the latest developments between Iran and the United States, as the two countries reached a peace agreement yesterday that includes Lebanon, with the signing scheduled for Friday, June 19.
Find our live updates from yesterday here.
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