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Israel has said it supports the US decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks but insists the truce does not apply to its campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump and brokered by Pakistan, came into effect this week, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was quick to clarify its limited scope.

"Israel supports the US decision to suspend strikes against Iran," a statement from Netanyahu's office said, according to multiple reports. However, the statement added: "The ceasefire does not include Lebanon." The remarks were echoed by the Israeli army, which said it had halted operations against Iran but would continue "targeted ground operations" against Hezbollah.

Coverage comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera, TASS, and The Hindu all confirmed that Israel backed the US decision to pause strikes on Iran, but differed on the extent of the ceasefire's reach. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the truce applied "everywhere including Lebanon," a claim contested by Israeli officials. The South China Morning Post similarly noted that the ceasefire was agreed to apply everywhere, but Lebanon had not received official communication to that effect.

A Lebanese government official told dpa that Beirut had not received any formal notification about a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. However, sources close to Hezbollah told Reuters that the group had paused attacks in line with the truce, according to the same report.

Key claims

  • Israel supports the US-Iran ceasefire: Multiple sources, including Al Jazeera and The Hindu, reported that Netanyahu's office welcomed the US decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks. The statement expressed support for US efforts to ensure Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile, or terror threat.
  • Ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon: Netanyahu explicitly stated that the truce "does not include Lebanon," a position confirmed by the Israeli military. This was reported by several outlets, though it contradicts the Pakistani prime minister's broader interpretation.
  • US and Iran agree to two-week ceasefire: The truce was announced by President Trump on April 7, with both sides claiming victory. Iran reportedly put forward a 10-point proposal, including adherence to non-aggression and control over the Strait of Hormuz, which the US agreed to consider.
  • Negotiations to begin in Islamabad: Both Iran and the US indicated that talks would commence in Islamabad on Friday, April 10, according to reports from TASS and The Hindu.
  • Public opposition in Israel: A poll by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found that 61% of Israelis oppose the ceasefire, and 73% expect fighting to resume within a year. This was reported by Al Jazeera and not corroborated by other outlets in the sample.

Perspectives

Israeli government: Prime Minister Netanyahu's office framed the ceasefire as a tactical pause, not a broader peace. Israel supports the US decision but reserves the right to continue operations in Lebanon, citing the need to address the Hezbollah threat.

Iran and Hezbollah: Iranian state media presented the ceasefire as a victory, with Tehran claiming the US was "forced to agree" to its conditions. Hezbollah sources indicated a pause in attacks, but the group's leadership has not made an official statement on the truce's scope.

Pakistan as mediator: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire as applying to all fronts, including Lebanon, and invited both sides to negotiate in Islamabad. This interpretation was not accepted by Israel.

International observers: Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob condemned Israel's continued strikes on Lebanon, saying the country must not become another Gaza. He joined calls to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement, reflecting broader European concern over civilian casualties.

Domestic Israeli critics: Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the ceasefire a "political disaster" and criticised Netanyahu for failing to achieve strategic goals. Analysts noted that Iran remains standing and Israel's missile defences are depleted, suggesting a weakened position.