Gunfire, Artillery Shelling Mark The Beginning Of Israel-Lebanon 10-Day Ceasefire

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 03:58 IST

Earlier in the day, cross-border exchanges left at least two people injured in northern Israel, with the Israeli military saying it targeted Hezbollah launchers.

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: Reports of gunfire and artillery shelling emerged from Beirut’s southern suburbs shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect, raising concerns over the fragile truce. According to news agency AFP, heavy gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades were heard for over half an hour as the 10-day ceasefire began.

The truce, announced by US President Donald Trump, followed weeks of intense fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Despite the ceasefire, Lebanese state media reported continued Israeli shelling in southern towns, while machine-gun fire was also heard in some areas.

AFP journalists heard shots ring out and RPGs erupting into the air shortly after midnight and continuing for well over half an hour, as red bullet traces took off into the sky.

Earlier in the day, cross-border exchanges left at least two people injured in northern Israel, with the Israeli military saying it targeted Hezbollah launchers after rocket attacks. Hours before the truce, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon had also caused casualties, according to Lebanese authorities.

As the ceasefire took hold, residents began returning to Beirut’s southern suburbs with visuals showing crowds, vehicles, and supporters carrying flags and images of former leader Hassan Nasrallah. However, Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities had urged civilians to delay their return until the situation stabilised, warning of security risks including unexploded ordnance.

Trump on Thursday announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire following high-level discussions aimed at easing tensions between the two countries, adding that he had invited leaders of both countries for talks.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said the ceasefire will begin at 5 PM EST (3:30 AM IST), framing it as a first step towards a peace process between the two sides.

Hezbollah earlier on Thursday called on Lebanese residents to postpone their return to the country’s south, the Bekaa valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, “until the situation becomes completely clear".

The Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee, in a statement, also advised people to wait “until you are certain that a ceasefire has been officially declared and has come into effect" and urged people to “wait until morning" before taking to the roads.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world Gunfire, Artillery Shelling Mark The Beginning Of Israel-Lebanon 10-Day Ceasefire

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