Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Announced, But Fighting Continues Anyway
Israel announced a US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon, but the IDF is still fighting, Division 36 remains on the Beaufort Ridge, and Ben Gvir is calling it a grave mistake. What the deal actually says, and what's still unresolved.
The IDF issued a warning Thursday to displaced residents of southern Lebanon: do not return south of the Zahrani River. The warning came despite widespread reports of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, reflecting chaotic and contradictory conditions on the ground in the hours following the announcement.
According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar, Israeli airstrikes halted immediately after the ceasefire declaration. However, a vehicle strike and additional attacks were documented shortly afterward, followed by a fresh IDF evacuation warning. Meanwhile, an alert was triggered in the village of Kfar Yuval in the Galilee Panhandle after a suspicious aerial target was identified, indicating that Hezbollah fire had not fully stopped. The cabinet is expected to convene at 5:00 p.m. at the Kirya defense compound in Tel Aviv.
Division 36 Still Operating at Beaufort Ridge
The ceasefire poses an immediate operational dilemma for the IDF. Division 36, which captured the Beaufort Ridge, is still actively operating there to destroy Hezbollah's strategic assets, including weapons depots and underground infrastructure built over years with Iranian backing. According to field commanders, the clearing operation is expected to continue for several more weeks.
Israeli Ambassador: "First Time Iran Is Being Pushed Out of the Region"
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, who was involved in the negotiations, struck an optimistic tone. "At first there will be ups and downs, but the direction is positive, and for the first time there is an agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States to push Iran out of the region," he said. Leiter was unequivocal on enforcement: "There is no place in Lebanon that will be immune from an Israeli response if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire."
He added that Hezbollah fighters must move north and that southern Lebanon must be cleared of Hezbollah influence. "We hope this will be implemented immediately. There may be difficulties at the start, but we are determined, together with Lebanon, to implement this ceasefire."
Ben Gvir: "A Grave Mistake"
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply condemned the agreement. "The ceasefire with Lebanon is a grave mistake and the pipe dreams of advisers dragging the prime minister into wrong decisions," he said.
Ben Gvir argued that Hezbollah would not withdraw from south of the Litani River and that the Lebanese Army is incapable of forcing it to do so. "The Lebanese state is a partner of Hezbollah. There are ministers in its government from Hezbollah, and Hezbollah members' relatives serve in the Lebanese Army."
"In practice, Hezbollah will only grow stronger. Instead of defeating it, Israel is making peace with its very existence," he said. "There are moments when you need to know how to say 'no' even to the President of the United States, and when you don't, we will meet Hezbollah next time when it is far stronger and more dangerous."
Ben Gvir said he was briefed on the intention in a restricted meeting with the prime minister and called for a full cabinet vote on the ceasefire decision.
The Dahiyeh Equation
Defense Minister Israel Katz outlined the strategic logic behind Israel's recent escalation, saying he and Prime Minister Netanyahu had led a joint move with the IDF to establish a clear equation: what happens in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood will mirror what happens to communities in northern Israel.
"If Israeli communities continue to be attacked, we will strike the Shiite Dahiyeh quarter in Beirut, which is Hezbollah's stronghold," Katz said. The threat prompted the evacuation of some 600,000 of the quarter's 950,000 residents by Wednesday evening, applying significant pressure on both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. The United States endorsed the principle and communicated it to the Lebanese government and all relevant parties.
The IDF spokesperson stated that "the IDF will continue to operate to remove threats against Israeli civilians." Further updates are expected.