Kamal Ghorui
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks, while underlining that the ceasefire does not extend to Hezbollah Lebanon.Netanyahu’s remarks mark Israel’s first response to the US-Iran ceasefire announcement, which is aimed at creating a temporary pause in hostilities and opening a window for negotiations. Israeli media, cited by AP, reported that the Prime Minister backed the US move but maintained key operational distinctions, particularly regarding ongoing regional theatres.
In an official statement, Israel 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,” reported BBC. The statement reflects alignment with Washington’s conditions, especially the demand for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Israel also reiterated its long-standing concerns over Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities. “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 neighbors and the world,” the statement said, indicating that broader strategic objectives remain unchanged despite the temporary pause.The statement further noted that the United States has assured Israel that these goals, shared by the US, Israel and regional allies, will be pursued in the upcoming negotiations with Iran, suggesting continued coordination between the allies during the diplomatic process.Crucially, Israel clarified that “The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” signalling that hostilities linked to that front may continue even as the US and Iran move toward a limited de-escalation.It stands in contradiction to Iran’s 10 point peace proposal, in which Tehran calls for cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, in order for ceasefire to be reached. The response comes amid a fragile ceasefire framework, with both Washington and Tehran indicating conditional willingness to halt hostilities. However, ongoing tensions across the region and differing interpretations of the truce terms suggest that the situation remains uncertain.
