Israel Backs Trump’s Iran Strike Pause, Says Lebanon Not Covered by Ceasefire

Israel has backed the United States decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, signalling a possible opening for negotiations aimed at a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supported US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause attacks, while clarifying that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon.

His statement contradicts an earlier claim by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had said the truce would apply “everywhere”, including Lebanon.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office said, "Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks' subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.”

“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 statement added.

Why does the Israel-backed US Iran ceasefire not include Lebanon?

"The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shared by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations," it said.

Despite the pause in strikes on Iran, Israel confirmed it would continue its offensive in South Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group it considers a security threat.

"The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon," the statement said.

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli cities, saying it was acting in response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel retaliated with large-scale strikes, leaving more than 1,500 people dead and displacing over one million people, more than a fifth of Lebanon’s population.

Why did Donald Trump announce a two-week US Iran ceasefire?

Earlier, Trump announced a suspension of the "bombing and attack" campaign against Iran, describing it as a two-week, double-sided ceasefire.

He said a ten-point proposal from Iran could serve as the basis for negotiations toward a permanent agreement, adding that the United States had already achieved most of its military objectives.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt its operations if attacks ceased.

In a post on X, he wrote, "Considering the request by the U.S. for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran's 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations, I hereby declare on behalf of Iran's Supreme National Security Council: If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”

“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 added.

(With inputs from ANI)