Beirut Celebrates as Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Takes Effect; Fireworks and Gunfire Light Up the Night Sky
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has begun. Celebratory gunfire was heard in Beirut, while leaders from both nations, along with the US, expressed hopes for a historic peace agreement, though challenges like disarming Hezbollah remain.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 07:52
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 08:01 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 23:59 (39h 57m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA, Beirut, 17th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon took effect, the skyline of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was illuminated by fireworks and celebratory gunfire around midnight local time.
CNN, citing local media reports, stated that intense celebratory gunfire rang out in the southern suburbs of Beirut, with videos showing streaks of red flashes appearing in the sky. The southern suburbs of Beirut host a large number of militants from the radical group Hezbollah.
Lebanon was drawn into the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran after Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, fired rockets at Israel.
US President Donald Trump earlier stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had agreed to implement a 10-day ceasefire starting at 21:00 GMT on the 16th, while also noting that this agreement would cover Hezbollah.
AFP reported that Netanyahu said today that this ceasefire provides an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" between Israel and Lebanon, but he emphasized that disarming Hezbollah remains a prerequisite.
He stated in a televised address: "We have an opportunity to conclude a historic peace agreement with Lebanon."
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also said he welcomed the ceasefire, calling it something Lebanon has pursued since the first day the war between Hezbollah and Israel began.
Salam stated: "While I congratulate all Lebanese people on this achievement, I also pray for mercy for the martyrs and express my support for their families." He also thanked multiple European and Arab countries for their "efforts" in helping to bring about the ceasefire. (Translation: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150417
(CNA, Beirut, 17th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon took effect, the skyline of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was illuminated by fireworks and celebratory gunfire around midnight local time.
CNN, citing local media reports, stated that intense celebratory gunfire rang out in the southern suburbs of Beirut, with videos showing streaks of red flashes appearing in the sky. The southern suburbs of Beirut host a large number of militants from the radical group Hezbollah.
Lebanon was drawn into the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran after Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, fired rockets at Israel.
US President Donald Trump earlier stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had agreed to implement a 10-day ceasefire starting at 21:00 GMT on the 16th, while also noting that this agreement would cover Hezbollah.
AFP reported that Netanyahu said today that this ceasefire provides an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" between Israel and Lebanon, but he emphasized that disarming Hezbollah remains a prerequisite.
He stated in a televised address: "We have an opportunity to conclude a historic peace agreement with Lebanon."
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also said he welcomed the ceasefire, calling it something Lebanon has pursued since the first day the war between Hezbollah and Israel began.
Salam stated: "While I congratulate all Lebanese people on this achievement, I also pray for mercy for the martyrs and express my support for their families." He also thanked multiple European and Arab countries for their "efforts" in helping to bring about the ceasefire. (Translation: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150417