On April 8, US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, clarifying that Hezbollah was not part of the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran. This ceasefire, meant to last for two weeks, is intended to mitigate ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

During an interview with PBS News, Trump addressed questions regarding continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite the ceasefire announcement. He stated, “Yeah, they were not included in the deal,” underscoring his view that Hezbollah’s involvement was outside the scope of the accord.

Details of the Ceasefire Agreement

Trump elaborated on the rationale behind the exclusion of Israeli military actions in Lebanon from the ceasefire. He said, “Because of Hezbollah. They were not included in the deal. That’ll get taken care of too. It’s alright.” When asked whether he supported the ongoing Israeli operations, Trump remarked that continued strikes in Lebanon were understood as part of the overarching agreement. “It’s part of the deal—everyone knows that. That’s a separate skirmish,” he noted, framing the situation as distinct from the main ceasefire discussions related to Iran.

Israeli Government’s Position

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed Trump’s approach, stating that Israel would persist in its military actions targeting Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. This decision came even as Israel supported the ceasefire aimed at suspending attacks on Iran. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement affirming, “Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks” but emphasized that this suspension depended on Iran ceasing attacks against the US, Israel, and other regional nations.

Expectations from Future Negotiations

The statement continued by articulating that the United States is committed to the agreed-upon security goals that Israel and its regional allies share. The Israeli government highlighted that the two-week ceasefire does not extend to military activities in Lebanon, focusing specifically on the threat posed by Hezbollah. This development follows Trump’s recent decision to halt offensive military actions against Iran, which includes a two-week ceasefire arrangement.

Trump’s Communication on Iran

President Trump also discussed the broader implications of a two-sided ceasefire in relation to Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he identified a ten-point proposal from Iran, describing it as a feasible foundation for future negotiations focused on achieving a permanent peace deal. He asserted that the US had already met critical military objectives in the region and insisted that his decision to suspend strikes against Iran was influenced by direct conversations with leaders from Pakistan, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Diplomatic Developments

Trump indicated that the United States would only hold off on this military action if Iran agreed to an immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, describing this as a critical next step. His comments reflect ongoing efforts to negotiate a long-term resolution to conflicts in the Middle East, as well as addressing nuclear and terrorism threats posed by Iran. The potential for lasting peace in the region remains a pivotal focal point in Trump’s diplomatic discussions.

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