Ceasefire Deal Disputed by Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement orchestrated by his government between the U.S. and Iran would also extend to Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly countered this by stating that operations against Hezbollah, backed by Iran, would persist.

Sharif mentioned in the morning that Iran, the United States, and their allies had “agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, effective immediately.” He expressed hope that the “Islamabad talks” would lead to lasting peace, looking forward to further positive developments.

Netanyahu’s office issued a response affirming support for “President Trump’s decision to suspend attacks against Iran for two weeks,” contingent on Iran opening the Strait and halting its aggression. He stressed that the two-week ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon.

President Trump later clarified that Lebanon was “not included in the agreement,” attributing this oversight to Hezbollah’s actions, noting that it “will be addressed.” He mentioned that Lebanon is considered a “separate skirmish” not covered by the current truce.

Meanwhile, Lebanese media reported ongoing Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, warning civilians to stay away from affected areas due to potential Israeli strikes. The Lebanese army advised against returning to southern villages yet, citing ongoing risks to civilians.

On March 2, Hezbollah launched rockets into Israeli cities, purportedly in retaliation for an Israeli action that allegedly targeted Iran’s supreme leader, pulling Lebanon deeper into the conflict.

Hezbollah claimed they were engaged in a “joint operation” with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to open a second front against Israel, resulting in numerous rocket attacks on Israeli civilian sites. Israel’s response included airstrikes extending as far as the Lebanese capital, Beirut, as it sought to eliminate Hezbollah leadership.

Despite the seriousness of ongoing operations, the Lebanese government remains frustrated with Hezbollah for provoking the conflict while undermining national sovereignty. There’s an increasing awareness of the detrimental impact of Israeli actions, as civilians face dangers while their villages suffer destruction.

Reports on Wednesday indicated Israeli strikes continued post-ceasefire announcement, with heavy bombardments targeting locations in Beirut and ongoing evacuation orders for civilians in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the ceasefire but condemned Israel’s aggression as a “dangerous escalation” that would only fuel further instability at a crucial time for peace.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described Wednesday’s military operations as one of Hezbollah’s most significant blows since 2024, stating that dozens of Hezbollah militants were either killed or injured in coordinated strikes across various locations. He reiterated Israel’s stance on differentiating between threats from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, asserting that the ceasefire does not extend to the latter.

Katz warned Hezbollah’s current leadership must recognize that post-conflict, Israel will not tolerate any threats, emphasizing that actions against Israel on behalf of Iran would result in severe consequences.

Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qasem has been challenged by Israel through these operations, as the Israeli Defense Forces continue to act decisively to neutralize perceived threats from the group.