2026-04-17T08:02:06+00:00
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Shafaq News- Beirut
Lebanese officials and political figures on Friday expressed cautious optimism over the 10-day ceasefire with Israel, while
warning of its fragility and stressing the need for unity and close monitoring.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who also heads the
Hezbollah-allied Amal Movement, described the truce as “a step forward” but
raised concerns over Israeli intentions. He confirmed the duration and urged
displaced residents to delay returning to southern areas until conditions
stabilize, while reiterating opposition to direct negotiations and framing the
arrangement within a broader regional context involving Iran.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein al-Hajj Hassan linked the
ceasefire to Iranian pressure, accusing Israel of repeated violations. The
group, he said, will track developments, emphasizing demands that include
withdrawal, detainee return, reconstruction, and an end to attacks.
Labor Minister Mohamad Haidar framed the ceasefire as “an
initial step toward a wider halt in hostilities,” stressing the importance of
national consensus, while Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar pointed to
heightened security readiness and coordination with the army to manage the
return of displaced civilians and maintain order.
Minister of Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and
Artificial IntelligenceKamal Shehadeh characterized the development as “significant yet
fragile.” He credited diplomatic efforts backed by international support while
noting that key details remain unresolved and affirming that “decisions on war
and peace rest with the state.”
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid
Joumblatt welcomed the move as a “positive starting point” but cautioned against
short-lived arrangements, calling for a unified national approach and
distancing Lebanon from wider regional dynamics.
Regional affairs commentator Khalil Nasrallah suggested
Israel may seek to consolidate control south of the Litani River as leverage in
future negotiations, warning, “This could undermine the arrangement,” while strategic
affairs expert Mohammad Marandi pointed to pressure on economic infrastructure
alongside US influence as factors behind Israel’s acceptance.
Lebanese media, meanwhile, reported that some
displaced residents have begun returning to southern areas and Beirut’s
southern suburbs, causing traffic congestion, although authorities continue to
advise caution.
مشاهد لعبور الأهالي جسر القاسمية – برج رحال#أخبار_الجديد #جنوب_لبنان pic.twitter.com/IqM6H75hVV
— Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) April 17, 2026
The truce took effect on Thursday at 21:00 GMT
(midnight Beirut time) following separate calls by US President Donald Trump
with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. However, the Lebanese army later cited continued Israeli attacks and
intermittent shelling across several areas.
Under the agreement, published by the US Department of State, the
initial 10-day period may be extended by mutual consent if progress is
demonstrated in negotiations and if Lebanon effectively demonstrates its
ability to assert its sovereignty.
Israel retains the right to take all necessary
measures in self-defense at any time against planned, imminent, or ongoing
attacks, but commits not to carry out offensive military operations against
Lebanese civilian, military, or other state targets.
Lebanon, in turn, must take meaningful steps to
prevent Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups from carrying out
attacks against Israeli targets.
Since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began
on March 2, Israeli strikes have killed 2,196 people and injured 7,185 others,
including 172 children and 260 women among the dead, and 661 children and 1,167
women among the wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
