After the announcement of a temporary US-Iran ceasefire meant to reduce tensions, Lebanon experienced a surge in violence. Israel swiftly launched its most extensive attack of the ongoing conflict, striking over 100 targets within a span of 10 minutes across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire declaration, the situation in Lebanon remained dire. Explosions rocked Beirut throughout the day, with thick smoke billowing over residential areas and emergency services facing challenges in their response efforts. Lebanon’s civil defense agency reported at least 254 fatalities and 837 injuries, marking one of the deadliest days in the conflict even as diplomatic assurances of a pause were made.
Iran clarified that Lebanon was encompassed within the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing a cessation of hostilities on all related fronts, including Israeli actions in Lebanon. Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon further underscored its stance on ceasefire violations.
While Iran and Pakistan considered Lebanon as part of the ceasefire deal, the United States and Israel contested this view, confining the agreement to their own conflict and excluding Lebanon from its purview.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that the two-week ceasefire covered the entire region, explicitly mentioning Lebanon. This announcement was supported by Iranian officials, who reiterated the inclusivity of Lebanon in the ceasefire terms.
In contrast, Israel and the US maintained that the ceasefire did not extend to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that operations against Hezbollah would persist, with the military continuing its targeting of the group.
US President Donald Trump clarified that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire agreement with Iran due to Hezbollah’s involvement but assured that the issue would be addressed. The White House reiterated that the ceasefire solely applied to the US-Iran conflict, excluding Lebanon from its scope.
Amid the ongoing violence, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel’s attacks as violations of international laws and agreements. Hezbollah denounced the strikes as breaches of the ceasefire and warned of repercussions if the assaults persisted. The Revolutionary Guards of Iran also cautioned of a forceful response if Israel’s operations in Lebanon persisted.
The conflict in Lebanon has already claimed over 1,500 lives and displaced more than a million people. Despite hopes for peace following the ceasefire announcement, families are once again left in uncertainty and fear as the violence continues.