President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had secured a pledge from Hezbollah, through intermediaries, not to attack Israel, and that Israel had agreed to halt any troop movements toward Beirut. The announcement came amid escalating violence in Lebanon and ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Ceasefire Details
Trump stated on Truth Social that he had a productive call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that no Israeli troops would enter Beirut and that any troops en route had been turned back. He also claimed that Hezbollah agreed to stop all shooting, with Israel refraining from attacks in return. Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the announcement.
Iran's Position
Iranian state TV reported that a ceasefire between Iran and the US, agreed in early April, could collapse if Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon persist. The Tasnim news agency said Tehran had halted indirect negotiations with the US after Israel ordered troops deeper into Lebanon, complicating diplomatic efforts. Iran's foreign ministry stated that ceasefire violations in Lebanon are equivalent to violations on all fronts, and the US bears responsibility for such breaches.
UN and International Reaction
The United Nations expressed alarm over the escalation in Lebanon, calling on all sides to respect the ceasefire. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged actors to avoid further escalation. Meanwhile, an Israeli source told Ynet that planned strikes on Beirut were postponed at Washington's request, as the US advanced a ceasefire initiative.
Damage in Lebanon
Lebanon reported an Israeli strike near Jabal Amel hospital in Tyre, causing damage to a building and parking lot, with several wounded. The health ministry shared footage showing rubble, blown-out ceilings, and blood inside the hospital, along with smoke from a fire in the car park.
Context and Analysis
The ceasefire announcement appears to undercut US efforts to separate the Lebanon conflict from the US-Iran war. Tehran has insisted on linking the two, seeking to protect its Hezbollah proxy. The US had previously brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah less than two weeks after the Iran ceasefire, but it did not hold, with daily exchanges of fire continuing. Trump indicated that talks with Iran are continuing rapidly, though the situation remains fragile.
