Netanyahu says US-Iran ceasefire does not include Lebanon
Al Jazeera11 hrs
Lebanon: Hundreds Killed in Israel Strikes Despite US-Iran Ceasefire
Is Israel's continued strikes on Lebanon a necessary strategic move or an indefensible act of collective punishment?
Above: Residential and commercial buildings damaged by Israeli Air strikes that were targeting the Hezbollah affiliated al-Qard al-Hassan financial institution on March 22, 2026 in Tyre, Lebanon. Image credit: Guy Smallman/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel is right to keep striking Hezbollah in Lebanon — the US-Iran ceasefire was never meant to cover a separate conflict with an Iranian proxy. Netanyahu had made clear for days that Lebanon remains a distinct front, and the IDF must continue operations to remove the threat to northern Israeli residents. Letting Hezbollah off the hook simply because Pakistan brokered a deal with Tehran would risk emboldening further attacks and create a serious strategic blunder.
Anti-Israel narrative
Israel continuing to bomb Lebanon after a ceasefire is indefensible — Hezbollah had already halted its fire, yet Israel continued striking hospitals, ambulances and civilian areas in cities like Tyre and Sidon. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced, and Lebanon’s economy has contracted by an estimated 5–7% of GDP in just five weeks. Excluding Lebanon from the ceasefire while the country continues to burn isn’t a strategy — it amounts to collective punishment.
The Controversies
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0