BEIRUT — Israeli military operations continued in southern Lebanon on Friday despite reports that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah had taken effect, raising concerns about the implementation of the agreement.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 47 people were killed and 97 others were wounded in Israeli attacks that began shortly after midnight and continued throughout the day. Lebanese state media also reported additional airstrikes and artillery shelling after the ceasefire’s scheduled start at 4 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT).

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone strike killed two people riding a motorcycle in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire came into effect.

Earlier Friday, U.S. and Gulf officials said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt hostilities under a ceasefire brokered by the United States, Qatar and Iran. Officials said the agreement was intended to reduce tensions in Lebanon while supporting broader diplomatic efforts aimed at regional stability.

A senior U.S. official told Reuters that the ceasefire had been reached through U.S. and Qatari mediation with assistance from Iran.

The person stated, “We hear that Israel and Hezbollah are now in a truce after the exchange of fire earlier today.”

Hezbollah indicated it would observe the agreement if Israel also complied. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said on X that Israel remained committed to an immediate ceasefire and expected Hezbollah to end its attacks.

Despite those statements, military activity continued in southern Lebanon after the announced deadline, according to local reports and witnesses.

The next round of Lebanese-Israeli talks is scheduled to take place in Washington from June 23 to June 25, the U.S. State Department said.

The declaration came after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun over the phone. According to Aoun’s office, the Lebanese president said a comprehensive ceasefire should serve as the foundation for future negotiations and thanked the United States for its support.

Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, denounced Israel’s military attack in Lebanon earlier Friday and stated that the organization’s stance was unaltered. He also accused Israel and the United States of abandoning previous understandings following political developments in Syria.

At the United Nations, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric welcomed reports of a ceasefire and urged both sides to end hostilities, respect existing agreements and continue dialogue to achieve long-term stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Separately, Pakistan and Iran expressed concern over the situation in Lebanon, including reported violations of the ceasefire. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the conflict during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi said the United States bears responsibility for ensuring implementation of commitments related to the recently signed memorandum of understanding and warned that violations could have broader consequences.

Talks between U.S. and Iranian officials concerning the memorandum were postponed Friday after renewed fighting in southern Lebanon. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Iranian representatives did not travel to Switzerland as planned, citing the ongoing conflict. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also delayed his planned trip.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said consultations were continuing through intermediaries and that negotiations would resume once conditions permit.

Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for stronger military action after the Israeli military announced that four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized Ben-Gvir’s remarks in a post on X, saying Israel was pursuing continued military conflict. The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions despite diplomatic efforts to reduce violence.

The reported ceasefire remains under scrutiny as military operations continued after its scheduled implementation, leaving uncertainty over whether both sides will fully adhere to the agreement while diplomatic negotiations continue.