Trump Announces Israel-Hezbollah De-escalation Deal as Both Sides Trade Fire, Killing Eight in Lebanon and Two Israeli Soldiers

Israeli drone strikes killed at least eight people across southern Lebanon on June 2, hours after President Donald Trump announced an agreement to de-escalate fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Two Syrians died when an Israeli strike hit a plant nursery in the town of Jebchit in the Nabatieh governorate.

Separate drone strikes hit a motorcycle on Martyr Sabra Street in Toul, a car in the Dhi’at al-Arab neighbourhood of Ansar, and a car near the village of Harouf, killing five more people.

A fourth strike hit a car on the road linking Marjayoun with Nabatieh, killing dentist James Karam of Qlayaa along with his daughter Theodossia and his son. The Lebanese University postponed examinations until next week after Theodossia Karam was killed while returning from exams in Sidon.

The death toll from an Israeli strike on Jabal Amel Hospital in Tyre on June 1 rose to four, with 50 people injured and damage reported to hospital wards, the parking garage and neighbouring buildings.

Lebanon’s National News Agency described the hospital casualty figures as preliminary. Lebanese negotiators are seeking a full ceasefire that would prevent future attacks. The talks, which began in April 2026, are the first between the two countries in more than 30 years.

Israel and Lebanon have no formal diplomatic relations, and Hezbollah has rejected direct talks. President Trump announced the de-escalation agreement on June 1 after separate phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah leaders.

Under the reported terms, Hezbollah would stop firing into Israel while the Israeli military would cease striking the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah has publicly accepted the agreement. Israeli air defences intercepted two projectiles that crossed from Lebanon into northern Israel on the morning of June 2. Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and the ridge it occupies in southern Lebanon on May 31.