Lebanon and Israel provisionally agreed in Washington to a new ceasefire Wednesday. But hours later Israel continued attacks and the militant group Hezbollah said it rejected any ceasefire that did not start with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

The fighting appeared to jettison immediate prospects of a wider ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Iran has said it will not agree to a ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel unless there is one in Lebanon.

UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping operation for Lebanon, announced Thursday that one of its peacekeepers had been killed and others wounded when mortars hit their position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon.

A U.N. source said the mortars appeared to have come from Hezbollah. The attack came as Israel and Lebanon were negotiating a ceasefire in Washington. The person asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. Hezbollah has been targeting Israeli army installations in the vicinity.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Esmail Qaani was quoted by Iranian state media Thursday saying that Israel must withdraw to pre-war positions as the first step in a ceasefire with Lebanon. Before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Israel held five positions across the border in Lebanon. It now occupies large parts of the south of the country.

The U.S. does not speak directly to Hezbollah, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. Lebanon’s negotiations in Washington were carried out without direct inclusion of the Iran-backed group.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that the ceasefire would come into force within 24 hours of all concerned parties approving it, especially Hezbollah.

A Hezbollah official told NPR that Hezbollah officially informed the Lebanese president that it would not accept any ceasefire that did not begin with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon.

The official asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said Israel was demanding the creation of what it called a de-militarized zone within Lebanon while being able to continue attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah. He said Israel would not be withdrawing from the south.

Jawad Rizkallah contributed reporting from Beirut.

Copyright 2026 NPR

As many Haitian families marked Mother’s Day on May 31, Community First Equity  announced an expansion of services into Long Island and New Jersey. 

The Brooklyn-based maternal health support organization, founded by Dr. Christina Pardo, focuses on advancing health equity and connecting underserved communities with culturally informed healthcare resources and support. A major component of that work is the Haitian Women’s Birth Equity initiative, which provides culturally responsive education, services and referrals to families navigating pregnancy, birth, postpartum care and beyond.

“ I am very proud and excited [for the expansion]. When we started the Haitian Women’s Birth Equity Initiative Brooklyn-based, it was to advocate for the needs and provide a support structure for Haitian mothers and families. And the goal was always to be able to create that support and advocacy wherever there are concentrations of Haitian mothers and families. “ Pardo told The Haitian Times.

“So being able to expand that structure that provides support and connect with local structures in Long Island and New Jersey is an incredibly proud moment to just help organizations in those areas and to provide support for moms.”

As part of its regional growth, Community First Equity announced a partnership with the Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey who is launching Wombs of Ayiti. 

On June 26, Family Connects NJ, a non-profit organization and partner of  Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, will be hosting a community event, Wombs of Ayiti, where they celebrate pregnant mothers and Haitian traditions around pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.

They will offer community resources, food, face painting, and opportunities to connect with other pregnant mothers, families, and support providers. If you are interested in attending, you can register here. 

Community First Equity has also reached Long Island, coordinating a community baby shower May 23 at St. Martha’s Church in Uniondale. In partnership mainly with Solidarité Haïtiano-Américaine de Long Island, the organization aims to provide information and resources about maternal mental health, early literacy and doula support. Additional partners included Moms Who Care, Harmony Healthcare Long Island and the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island.

For more information about Community First Equity or to volunteer, donate, or partner with them, visit www.communityfirstequity.com/.

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