US-Brokered 10-Day Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Takes Effect

A US-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon/Hezbollah took effect on April 17, 2026, creating a fragile calm after weeks of Israeli bombardment and ground operations in southern Lebanon. More than one million displaced Lebanese began cautiously returning home, with traffic backed up for kilometers along the route to the Litani River. In Beirut's Haret Hreik neighborhood — struck 62 times over six weeks — residents found 'entire buildings reduced to rubble.' Lebanese President Aoun declared the nation would 'no longer be a pawn' in a broader conflict. Israel reserved the right to self-defense and maintained troop deployments in southern Lebanon.