Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s claim that Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire agreement brokered between the US, Israel, and Iran.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement issued in English, clarified that the two-week suspension of strikes against Iran does not cover Lebanon, despite Shehbaz Sharif announcing on X/Twitter that the ceasefire was “effective immediately everywhere, including Lebanon.”
With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
I warmly welcome the…— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026
Hezbollah and IDF Operations in Lebanon
Before the ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation orders for residents in Tyre and Shabriha, north of the Al-Zahrani River, citing ongoing operations against Hezbollah.
IDF Arabic Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee urged civilians to leave their homes immediately for safety.
The IDF has also expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, deploying the 98th Commando Division along with Divisions 91, 36, 146, and 162 to strengthen front-line defenses.
The military emphasized that its actions target Hezbollah activity, not civilians.
Ceasefire Objectives
Israel’s PMO highlighted that the ceasefire aims to ensure Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile, and terror threat to the US, Israel, regional Arab countries, and the world.
While Iran’s initial 10-point proposal sought a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu’s office stressed that Lebanon is not included in the current ceasefire arrangement.
The situation underscores the continuing tension in southern Lebanon and the complexity of negotiations involving multiple regional actors.
