Israel has been urged to limit its campaign in Lebanon to “self-defense” by Germany after the Israeli government insisted that the Iran war truce does not include Lebanon.
Israel renewed its strikes on southern Lebanon despite the Iran-backed Hezbollah group not claiming any operations since the evening of Tuesday, April 7.
The country also renewed an evacuation order for an area inside Lebanon, saying “the battle in Lebanon is ongoing”.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has been in touch with his Israeli counterpart and on Wednesday “argued that Israel should only act in accordance with its right to self-defense” in Lebanon, a ministry spokesman said.
Pressed on whether this meant that Israel could occupy a part of southern Lebanon on a long-term basis, the spokesman said that how Israel should exercise its right to self-defense “could be seen in different ways”.
“It is incumbent on Israel to show that it is acting in accordance with the relevant law,” he said.
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war after Hezbollah launched rocket fire on Israel following the death of Iran’s spiritual leader in Israeli-U.S. strikes.
Israel then invaded and staged air raids across Lebanon that killed more than 1,500 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Germany urged Israel to restrict its military campaign in Lebanon to actions consistent with “self-defense,” after Israeli forces launched their largest coordinated strikes across the country since the war began.
Ceasefire dispute
The intervention comes as questions mount over whether Lebanon was included in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran announced on Tuesday amid conflicting interpretations of the two-week truce brokered by Pakistan.
President Donald Trump earlier insisted Lebanon was excluded, describing Israel’s war against Hezbollah as a “separate skirmish.”
“Because of Hezbollah, they were not included in the deal,” Trump told PBS.
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White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt echoed the claim, dismissing speculation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was undermining the truce.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, however, announced that the ceasefire covered “everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced that position, warning that the U.S. must choose between honoring the ceasefire or continuing the war through Israel.
Iranian media outlets reported that Tehran could withdraw from the agreement if Israeli attacks persist, with the Revolutionary Guard Corps cautioning that fighting would resume unless Lebanon was spared.
Israel launches assault
Hours after Trump’s remarks, Israel launched a wave of strikes across Lebanon, targeting residential buildings, mosques, medical centers, and commercial districts.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 254 deaths and more than 1,160 injuries. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine described the escalation as “dangerous,” noting that over 100 airstrikes hit Beirut, Dahiyeh, Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, and the south.
“Ambulances are still transporting victims to hospitals. We urge international organizations to assist the Lebanese health sector,” he said.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, calling it “the largest concentrated blow Hezbollah has suffered since Operation Beepers.” The military acknowledged that many targets were located within civilian areas but said steps were taken to mitigate harm.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the campaign, framing it as part of a broader war effort against Iran.
He emphasized that the ceasefire with Iran did not extend to Hezbollah, vowing continued strikes.
“Today we dealt Hezbollah the greatest blow it has suffered since the pagers. We attacked 100 targets in 10 minutes,” he said in a televised address.
Netanyahu praised U.S. support, describing his partnership with Trump as “historic” and crediting joint operations with weakening Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
He insisted that Israel’s actions were reshaping the Middle East in its favor, promising to resume combat if necessary.
Iranian officials have, however, warned that Israel’s actions could reignite fighting across the region.
The Fars News Agency reported a suspension of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, though the claim remains unconfirmed
The Tasnim agency also cited sources suggesting Tehran would abandon the ceasefire if Israel continued its campaign in Lebanon.
