Despite the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, tensions in the Middle East remained high as Israel continued its military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that the truce with Iran does not extend to Hezbollah, asserting that operations against the group would continue without interruption.
Shortly after the ceasefire was announced, Israel launched one of its most intense waves of attacks on Lebanon since the conflict began. The Israeli military stated that it carried out strikes on more than 100 Hezbollah command centres and military installations across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, describing the operation as its largest coordinated assault in the ongoing campaign.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the strikes resulted in at least 112 deaths and 837 injuries, indicating the severe humanitarian impact of the escalation. Hezbollah condemned the attacks as barbaric aggression and reiterated its stance that it retains the right to resist and respond to Israeli actions.
Netanyahu reiterated multiple times that Hezbollah was never included in the ceasefire framework, emphasising that Israel retains full operational freedom against the group. He stated that Israel has achieved significant military gains and claimed that the country is now in a stronger position, while Iran’s influence has weakened.
In a public address, Netanyahu stressed that the ceasefire is not a final resolution and that Israel still has additional objectives to achieve. He warned that the country is prepared to resume broader hostilities at any time if required, underscoring a continued state of military readiness.
Iran, however, has strongly objected to Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon, arguing that such actions undermine the ceasefire agreement. Iranian officials have called on the United States to enforce the terms of the truce and decide whether it intends to uphold the agreement or allow the conflict to persist through allied actions.
Amid these developments, Iran has reportedly heightened its military alert levels, with air defence systems activated in several cities. At the same time, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further escalated the situation, signalling broader geopolitical and economic consequences.
Scepticism regarding the durability of the ceasefire remains widespread. Israeli officials have acknowledged significant differences between US and Iranian positions, raising doubts about whether the agreement can hold. With ongoing strikes, conflicting interpretations of the ceasefire, and escalating rhetoric, the situation continues to remain volatile and uncertain.
