Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will be “no ceasefire in Lebanon,” as Israel reported it was attacking Hezbollah targets following the US-Iran ceasefire.
The remarks came shortly after Donald Trump told US media that he had asked Netanyahu to be more “low-key.” Israel said it was striking Hezbollah launch sites, keeping pressure on the group amid the wider regional escalation.
On the diplomatic side, the UK foreign minister, Yvette Cooper, said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. In additional comments reported by Reuters, Cooper said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
The Strait of Hormuz has become part of the broader debate surrounding the ceasefire. During the talks, Tehran proposed fees or tolls on vessels in exchange for safe passage through the waterway. Trump on Wednesday suggested that the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture, while the White House said the priority was reopening the strait without limitations.
The comments highlight how the ceasefire discussions are extending beyond the immediate fighting, drawing in questions about regional shipping, access to the Strait of Hormuz and the role of Lebanon in any wider settlement.
Israel’s continued bombing of Lebanon after the US-Iran ceasefire has already drawn condemnation, adding to concerns that the truce elsewhere may not be enough to calm the wider conflict.
As the situation develops, leaders are facing mounting pressure to define the scope of any deal and whether it can cover all active fronts. For now, Netanyahu’s statement makes clear that Israel is not prepared to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon, even as international figures push for broader negotiations.
Trump’s public comments also suggest a delicate political balance between Washington and Jerusalem. While he said he had urged Netanyahu to keep a lower profile, the fighting on the ground and the continuing strikes indicate that the conflict remains volatile despite the ceasefire announcement involving the US and Iran.
Lebanon’s inclusion in any agreement, Cooper said, is essential. Her position underlines the view among some Western officials that any durable ceasefire will need to address not only the immediate US-Iran dimension but also the fighting involving Hezbollah and Israel.
