Netanyahu defies trump, war in lebanon continues amid ceasefire

Jerusalem—A fragile, two-week truce brokered by President Trump with Iran has hit an immediate snag. While Israel has publicly endorsed the suspension of strikes against Iranian targets, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has simultaneously confirmed the continuation of military operations in Southern Lebanon, effectively carving out an exemption for the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The move underscores a deepening divergence in strategy between Washington and its key ally in the region.

Sharif's claim contradicted

The announcement directly contradicts an earlier statement from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who asserted the truce would apply “everywhere,” including Lebanon. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of the negotiations and the potential for miscommunication, even within allied circles. The situation is further complicated by Iran's conditional acceptance of the ceasefire, contingent on the cessation of attacks.

According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s support for Trump’s decision is contingent upon Iran’s immediate compliance with several conditions: reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting all attacks against the United States, Israel, and regional countries. The statement explicitly stated, “Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbours and the world.” The US, in turn, has assured Israel of its commitment to achieving these objectives through upcoming negotiations.

But the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Despite the proclaimed ceasefire, Israel insists its offensive in Southern Lebanon, aimed at the Iran-backed Hezbollah, will proceed unabated. The two-week pause, it seems, is a carefully constructed exclusion zone. The conflict in Lebanon erupted on March 2nd, triggered by Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israeli cities in response to the perceived killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel’s subsequent large-scale strikes have resulted in over 1,500 deaths and displaced more than a million Lebanese – more than a fifth of the country’s population—a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing military actions.

Iran's conditional response

Trump’s announcement of a two-week “bombing and attack” suspension, coupled with a ten-point proposal from Iran, has been met with cautious optimism. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded in kind, declaring Tehran would halt its operations if attacks ceased. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi stated in a post on X, outlining the terms of their compliance. The US has presented a 15-point proposal for negotiations, while Iran has offered a 10-point framework.

The situation remains precarious. While Trump touts the potential for a permanent agreement, the continued fighting in Lebanon and the conditional nature of both sides’ commitments raise serious doubts about the long-term viability of this fragile ceasefire. The diverging approaches of Israel and the US highlight the inherent tensions within the alliance and the potential for escalation despite the proclaimed pause. The true test lies not in the pronouncements from Washington and Jerusalem, but in the cessation of hostilities on the ground—a condition that, at least in Lebanon, remains conspicuously unmet.