UN Peacekeeper Killed in Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah Reach Conditional Ceasefire

A United Nations peacekeeper was killed and two others wounded after a UNIFIL base was hit the previous night in southern Lebanon. Belgrade confirmed the slain peacekeeper was Serbian, bringing the total of blue helmets killed since March to seven. Israel carried out new strikes in Lebanon on Thursday even after negotiators agreed to a conditional ceasefire in Washington.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported around 20 strikes in the south and east on Thursday, some causing casualties including a couple and their daughter wounded in an attack on their car. Envoys from both sides held a fourth round of talks in Washington on Wednesday.

The agreement requires Hezbollah to halt attacks and calls for the Lebanese army to take exclusive control of designated pilot zones.

U.S. president serving as guarantor of implementation. Lebanon's president described the terms as the "last chance" for a durable end to the fighting.

He said each party bears responsibility if it fails to respond positively and that Lebanon would inform Washington once it received Hezbollah's position. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army would continue fire and ground operations at this stage, without allowing population returns, while dismantling infrastructure.

He added that forces retain freedom of action, with American backing, to strike in Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities.

Hezbollah has not commented on the deal. Its chief Naim Qassem is scheduled to release a statement later Thursday. Senior official Mahmud Qomati had said earlier this week that the group would not accept a partial ceasefire.

Israeli forces renewed a warning to Lebanese not to cross the Zahrani River after declaring areas south of the river combat zones last week. Iran's Quds Force head Esmail Qaani insisted Israel withdraw to pre-war positions as a minimum demand. An April 17 truce was meant to halt the fighting and was extended several times but has never been observed, with both sides justifying ongoing attacks by the other's alleged violations.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider conflict on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel. Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called the latest deal a serious mistake.