News blog about the war in the Middle East
Hegseth threatens Iran: “Make a wise decision”
Updated April 17, 2026 – 1:45 amReading time: 8 minutes
The energy agency fears for the supply of aviation fuel, Katherina Reiche gives the all-clear. Pete Hegseth threatens Iran. All developments in the news blog.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia to fully respect the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. This was announced by his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in New York. Guterres hopes that this ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations and the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 to achieve a long-term solution to the conflict.
After weeks of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump has come into force. The ceasefire began at midnight (local time, 11 p.m. CEST) and is expected to initially last ten days. It was initially unclear to what extent both sides would comply with them.
In the capital, Beirut, people shot into the air for joy. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, which were badly hit during the war, people celebrated in the streets, eyewitnesses reported. According to local media reports, when the ceasefire began, numerous people headed towards the south of the country – more than a million people had been displaced by the war.
After US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in Lebanon, the US State Department made the agreement between Israel and Lebanon public. The six agreed points include that the Lebanese government, with international help, prevent Hezbollah from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets from Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel refrains from “offensive military operations” against Lebanese targets.
However, Israel reserves the right to take all necessary measures in self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks at any time. This will not be affected by the cessation of hostilities, the text says.
The agreement emphasizes that the Lebanese security forces alone are responsible for the sovereignty and defense of Lebanon. No other country or group can claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Further, according to the agreement, Israel and Lebanon ask the United States to facilitate further direct negotiations between the two countries with the aim of resolving all outstanding issues, including the determination of the international land border. The goal is to conclude a comprehensive and lasting security and peace agreement between the two countries.
