Israel contradicts ‘mediator’ Pakistan, says Lebanon not part of ceasefire deal
The Israeli statement also backed ongoing US efforts to ensure that Iran no longer poses what it described as a nuclear, missile or terror threat to the region and beyond
A fresh divergence emerged over the scope of the newly announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with Israel on Wednesday asserting that Lebanon is not part of the arrangement, contradicting claims made by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said it supported US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, subject to Tehran immediately reopening key maritime routes and halting attacks on the US, Israel and other countries in the region.
However, it clarified that the “two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” underlining that the understanding was limited in scope and conditional in nature.
The Israeli statement also backed ongoing US efforts to ensure that Iran no longer poses what it described as a nuclear, missile or terror threat to the region and beyond. It added that Washington had assured Israel of its commitment to achieving these shared objectives through upcoming negotiations involving regional allies.
The assertion stands in contrast to an earlier announcement by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said an “immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere” had come into effect. He described the development as a “sagacious gesture” and credited both Washington and Tehran for demonstrating “remarkable wisdom and understanding.”
Sharif also invited delegations from both sides to Islamabad on April 10 for further talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement, expressing hope that the proposed “Islamabad Talks” would lead to sustainable peace and more positive developments in the coming days.
The conflicting statements have introduced uncertainty over the exact contours of the ceasefire, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to stabilise a region that has witnessed escalating tensions in the past 40 days. Clarity on the inclusion of flashpoints such as Lebanon will be critical in determining the durability of the truce.
