Israel continues its military operations in southern Lebanon, despite international condemnation and the

The Israeli army continued to strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday despite the ceasefire agreement. The international community is calling for the country to be included in the ceasefire.

Published on 09/04/2026 11:28

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The ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran officially took effect on Wednesday, April 8. The United States has announced a two-week halt to its attacks on Iran, and Tehran must in return temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

From Israel’s perspective, the government has announced its support for Donald Trump’s decision to suspend attacks on Iran, clarifying that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. This statement, however, contradicts the earlier announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the conflict mediator, who assured that the ceasefire applied “everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere”.

The Israeli army disagrees and intends to continue “the battle” against the Hezbollah Islamist movement, an ally of Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued to strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, renewing evacuation orders for the population in this vast area. Colonel Avichay Adraee issued an “urgent and final warning to the residents of the city of Tyre, especially in Shabriha”, urging them to evacuate “immediately”. Later on Wednesday, Israel conducted a series of strikes on Beirut and announced its “largest coordinated strike” against Hezbollah since February 28.

These simultaneous strikes by Israel, conducted without warning and targeting the heart of Beirut and several other regions in Lebanon, resulted in 182 deaths and 890 injuries, according to an unofficial official tally. In response, Hezbollah announced that it had bombed northern Israel overnight, in reaction to its “violation of the ceasefire”.

Contacted by franceinfo, geopolitician Jean-Antoine Duprat suggests several hypotheses to explain Israeli decisions. In his view, Benjamin Netanyahu considers the fights against Iran and Hezbollah as “two separate operations”. “Initially, the strikes were intended for Iran. The proxies, notably Hezbollah, entered the conflict after the death of Ali Khamenei and changed everything for Lebanon.”

He also notes a weakening coordination between Israel and the United States. “[Benjamin] Netanyahu does not respect [Donald] Trump’s wishes. From the start, they did not have the same war aims. If this continues, the United States could put pressure on Israel,” suggested the specialist.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stated that his country is striving to be included in a “regional peace, in a stable and lasting manner”. The Lebanese army and Hezbollah have called on the displaced persons not to return to the south of the country where the strikes continue.

The international community has widely condemned Israel’s attitude towards Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron has already called for the ceasefire to “fully” include Lebanon. “We expect, in the days and weeks to come, that [the ceasefire] can be fully respected throughout the region,” he stated at a defense council. He wishes for negotiations to allow for a “lasting settlement of nuclear, ballistic, and regional issues related to Iran”.

“We strongly condemn these massive strikes that, in ten minutes, have resulted in more than 250 deaths,” reacted Jean-Noël Barrot on France Inter. “For all those who have a special link, a link of affection and friendship with Lebanon, it is obviously a very deep shock. Today is a national day of mourning in Lebanon, and we fully associate with it.”

On the other hand, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares deemed it “unacceptable” on Wednesday that Israel continues fighting in Lebanon after the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The German Foreign Minister also phoned his Israeli counterpart to urge Israel to limit itself to “necessary legitimate defense against Hezbollah and not go any further,” his spokesperson clarified at a press briefing.