Israel has expressed support for a two-week suspension of strikes against Iran announced by US President Donald Trump.
In a statement dated April 8, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that if Tehran immediately opens the straits and halts attacks on the United States, Israel, and regional countries.
“Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel, and countries in the region,” read part of the statement.
He also backed U.S. efforts to ensure Iran no longer poses nuclear, missile, or security threats, saying Washington has committed to pursuing these goals through upcoming negotiations.
Israel Says Lebanon is Not Included in the Deal
PM Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the two-week ceasefire does not cover fighting involving Lebanon, meaning tensions there could continue.
“The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon.”
Netanyahu’s remarks differ from statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been involved in facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran.
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Sharif previously said the ceasefire would apply “everywhere, including Lebanon,” suggesting a broader scope that includes Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.
Additionally, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council argued that the United States had committed to stopping the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Lebanon’s MTV also reported that Iran is pushing for Lebanon’s inclusion in any ceasefire arrangement.
Israeli forces have been engaging in heavy fighting in the southern Lebanon with strikes reaching Tyre, Nabatieh, and the suburbs of Beirut, while Hezbollah fights back from border areas.
Trump Announces Two-week Ceasefire with Iran
Trump has announced that he has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran following last-minute talks led by Pakistan, less than two hours before his deadline to destroy a “whole civilization.”
Trump, in a Tuesday, April 7, post on Truth Social, said parties sealed the ceasefire agreement on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz.
According to the president, “the reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East.”
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Trump’s self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was to expire at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday.
In a statement earlier this week, he warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran fails to comply.
Vice President JD Vance reinforced the administration’s stance, saying the U.S. has “largely accomplished its military objectives” but left open the possibility of either a negotiated resolution or further military action depending on Iran’s response.
