Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes as US-Iran ceasefire faces collapse over Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a pause in hostilities regarding Lebanon despite a tenuous two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. Netanyahu announced he instructed his cabinet to "open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible" following what he described as repeated requests from Beirut. Netanyahu stated in a video message, "I want to tell you: there is no ceasefire in Lebanon."

The proposed talks, which US and Israeli officials suggest could begin at the US State Department as early as next week, are intended to focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of "peaceful relations." The intensity of the Israeli offensive has surged, with Wednesday marking the deadliest wave of strikes since the war began. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the death toll from that single day of bombardment reached at least 303 people, with over 1,150 injured. World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Israel to rescind evacuation orders for hospitals in Beirut, calling the move "operationally unfeasible" as nearly 450 patients, including many in intensive care, have no alternative facilities for treatment.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, "There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait." President Trump added a stern warning: "They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!" President Trump stated that the U.S. agreed to a two-week suspension of hostilities on the condition of "the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz."