JERUSALEM (Horn post) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a ceasefire in Lebanon, signaling a continuation of military operations against Hezbollah despite calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce hostilities.
In a message addressed to residents in northern Israel, Netanyahu said there would be “no ceasefire in Lebanon,” vowing that Israeli forces would continue intensified strikes until security is fully restored. He reiterated Israel’s objectives of disarming Hezbollah and securing what he described as a lasting peace arrangement with Lebanon.
The remarks come after Trump said Israel had agreed to scale down its military operations to support ongoing diplomatic efforts, including anticipated talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad. Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu and that Israeli actions would be “reduced” ahead of the negotiations.
“I spoke with Bibi — it will be toned down,” Trump said, expressing optimism that upcoming talks could yield a breakthrough. He added that he believes Iran’s leadership is capable of reaching a reasonable agreement under the right conditions.
However, Netanyahu’s latest statement appears to contradict those expectations, underscoring the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
The developments come as an Iranian delegation arrives in Islamabad for planned talks with U.S. officials, raising hopes for progress on broader regional stability. Analysts say the continuation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon could complicate negotiations and risk undermining fragile ceasefire efforts tied to the discussions.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
