Trump, Israel Say Lebanon Not Included In Ceasefire As Iran Mulls Exit

Last Updated:April 08, 2026, 21:12 IST

Israel carried out its most extensive strike across Lebanon since the launch of Op Roaring Lion, triggering a warning from Iran that it could withdraw from the ceasefire framework.

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump made it clear that the 14-day Iran ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where fighting with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah continues.

It comes after Israel launched the largest coordinated assault across Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, prompting a sharper warning from Iran, which said it would pull out of the ceasefire agreement if Israel continues to breach it by carrying out attacks in Lebanon.

Responding to a reporter’s question about continued strikes in Lebanon, Trump said, “Yeah, they were not included in the ceasefire deal," adding that Lebanon was excluded “because of Hezbollah."

He went on to defend Israel’s actions, saying the ongoing attacks were “part of the deal, everyone knows that," and described the situation as “a separate skirmish" when asked whether he was comfortable with Israel continuing its operations in southern Lebanon.

Earlier,Netanyahu said Israel backs the US-led decision to pause strikes against Iran for two weeks, but stressed that the halt does not apply to Lebanon, where hostilities with Hezbollah are ongoing.

In a statement shared on X, Netanyahu’s office clarified that the proposed pause is limited to direct military action between the US and Iran and does not cover the Lebanese front, signalling that Israeli operations there may continue.

Israeli forces have since maintained pressure on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, with reports of fresh airstrikes and cross-border exchanges. Hezbollah, in turn, has claimed responsibility for limited retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets.

Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that any sustainable ceasefire must include an end to Israeli military actions in Lebanon.

In its reported 10-point proposal aimed at de-escalating the conflict, Tehran has called for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah, describing the group’s actions as acts of self-defence.

Tehran has also tied progress on a broader US-Iran truce to a reduction in violence along the Lebanon border, raising doubts over whether the two-week pause can be sustained without parallel de-escalation on that front.

News world Trump, Israel Say Lebanon Not Included In Ceasefire As Iran Mulls Exit

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