Israel has announced that its military operations in Lebanon will continue despite a ceasefire declaration by Donald Trump, with fresh air and artillery strikes reported across southern regions and civilians warned to evacuate targeted areas.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the proposed two-week pause “does not include Lebanon,” contradicting claims by Iran and Pakistan.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military confirmed it was continuing operations against Hezbollah, urging residents in southern Lebanon to move north of the Zahrani River for safety.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts reportedly mediated in Pakistan between the US and Iran appear to have progressed without Israel’s direct involvement. Trump is said to have informed Netanyahu of the ceasefire decision shortly before publicly announcing it.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly criticised the government, calling the situation a major political and strategic failure, and claiming Israel was excluded from key decisions impacting its national security.
Just before the ceasefire announcement, an Israeli strike targeted a vehicle near beachside cafes in Saida, killing at least eight people and injuring 22, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Strikes continued into Wednesday morning, with artillery shelling in southern Lebanon and drone attacks reported in Qana and al-Qleileh. Hezbollah stated it had not responded overnight.
The Israeli military also issued evacuation warnings in Arabic to residents in Tyre, a move typically preceding airstrikes in populated areas.
US President Donald Trump
Earlier, the US President, Donald Trump, announced a ceasefire for two weeks. There will be no strikes in Iran for 14 days, said the US President.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump said that based on the conversation held with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.
Iran accepts ceasefire
The Islamic Republic of Iran has also reportedly accepted the offer of a two-week ceasefire.
A post on X said that Iran accepted the ceasefire deal after China persuaded it.
The post said, “A last-minute push by China helped persuade Iran to accept Pakistan’s two-week ceasefire proposal, with the truce ultimately approved by Mojtaba Khamenei, according to NYT, citing three Iranian officials.”
Reacting to the ceasefire, the world praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir’s role, saving the lives of innocent humans and global economies.
Also read: World lauds PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal for Iran-US ceasefire
