Israel says US-Iran cease-fire excludes Lebanon, vows to keep up operations against Hezbollah

Israel insisted Wednesday that the US‑Iran cease‑fire does not apply to Lebanon, as its military said it would continue “targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among those to deny Lebanon’s inclusion in the agreement, signaling that strikes against the militant group would proceed.

“The battle in Lebanon continues,” Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said, underscoring Israel’s position that its campaign against Hezbollah is unaffected by the truce. Hezbollah, for its part, said it halted fire on Israeli troops in Lebanon on Wednesday as part of the two‑week truce between the United States and Iran.

A lawmaker from the Iran‑backed group warned that Israel must also adhere to the agreement or it would collapse. “The agreement includes Lebanon, according to its terms, and Iran insisted on this inclusion,” Hezbollah legislator Ibrahim Al‑Moussawi said, adding that the cease‑fire’s durability depended on reciprocal compliance.

Israel’s stance also diverged from that of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described as a key intermediary in the cease‑fire talks, who had said the truce would include Lebanon. The conflicting statements highlighted a sharp disagreement over whether the truce covers the Lebanese front, with Israel declaring continued operations and Hezbollah framing its halt in fire as contingent on mutual observance.