A ceasefire framework for Lebanon, brokered by the U.S. and agreed to on Wednesday by Israel and the Lebanese government, was rejected by the militant group Hezbollah as a ceasefire to the Iran War entered its 58th day on Thursday. Tehran has insisted that a ceasefire to the U.S.–Iran war cover the entire region, including the Lebanese front.
Speaking at the Haifa Naval Base on Wednesday before the truce was announced, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said there was “no ceasefire for our forces” in Lebanon, adding that “we are working to maximize the freedom of action that has been granted to us.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says that the terms of the ceasefire grant Israel the “freedom of action, with U.S. backing” to bomb Beirut if Hezbollah attacks Israeli communities.
Hezbollah rejected the agreement as “shameful” and “submission to the Greater Israel project.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the truce would take effect within 24 hours of approval by all concerned parties. Hezbollah is not a signatory to the declaration but would be required to cease its attacks for any ceasefire to hold. Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said Thursday that his group would continue fighting, including through staging attacks on northern Israel, until Israel withdraws its forces and ceases its bombing of Lebanon.
At least five paramedics were reported to be killed by Israeli strikes on Wednesday as Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli strikes reached at least 3,526 people killed since March 2.
Hezbollah drones struck near Israeli positions in southern Lebanon Thursday, triggering rocket and drone sirens across border communities in the Galilee. No injuries were reported.
In America, the House of Representatives passed a War Powers resolution on Wednesday directing Trump to withdraw American forces from hostilities with Iran, without the necessary congressional authorization for waging war. The resolution is largely symbolic but increases political pressure on the Trump administration.
Oil prices fell more than 3 percent on Thursday, Reuters reported, as the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire raised hopes for a wider deal to end the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent Crude oil was $95 on Thursday morning while gas prices remained elevated, though below recent peaks. AAA reported the national average price of regular gas at $4.24.
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