SouthernWorldwide.com – A ceasefire brokered with U.S. assistance between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah was slated to commence on Friday afternoon, occurring as Washington endeavors to solidify a broader regional accord with Iran. This development follows the unexpected postponement of talks previously scheduled to take place in Switzerland.
The White House has not yet issued a public statement confirming whether the ceasefire has officially taken effect.
ISRAEL MOVES TOWARDS CEASEFIRE DEAL WITH HEZBOLLAH: REPORTS
An Israeli official stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had conducted extensive strikes, targeting 150 Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and neutralizing numerous militants, as per instructions. This action was reportedly in response to Hezbollah’s killing of four Israeli soldiers in overnight attacks early Friday.
Despite these recent escalations, an Israeli representative affirmed that Israel’s intention is to abide by the ceasefire agreement.
The agreement was reached subsequent to negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, which were scheduled for this past weekend in Switzerland but were abruptly called off. The White House has not publicly disclosed the reasons behind this delay.
President Trump has voiced growing dissatisfaction with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu concerning the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. He remarked to reporters on Tuesday at the G7 conference in France that “Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”
“Too many people are being killed, and you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” Trump added.
He further commented on Wednesday to reporters, “I’m not saying they shouldn’t protect themselves. I’m saying when two drones are shot into the desert and drop harmlessly, you don’t have to knock down buildings in Beirut. They could behave better, and frankly, they could do a better job.”
Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and political movement based in Lebanon, is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Its conflict with Israel has a long history, but the recent hostilities have primarily involved Hezbollah launching rockets and drones from Lebanon, met by Israeli strikes aimed at pushing the group back from the border and safeguarding northern Israeli communities.
On Friday, Iran’s foreign ministry refuted reports suggesting that Iran had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz. A statement released on Telegram by foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei asserted that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have implemented necessary measures to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding regarding the end of the war, dated June 18, 1405, and that shipping traffic is proceeding on this route.
HORMUZ CHOKE POINT PERSISTS AS IRAN HALTS OIL TRAFFIC DESPITE TRUMP CEASEFIRE
U.S. officials have characterized the memorandum signed on Wednesday as a 60-day framework intended to pave the way for a final agreement, with a significant focus on Iran’s nuclear program. They have indicated that any withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran would be contingent upon the final deal, rather than an immediate requirement under the initial agreement.
The agreement also stipulated the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” according to U.S. officials.
Furthermore, U.S. officials have stated that the memorandum includes provisions for immediate oil sanctions waivers for Iran, an cessation of Iran’s threats towards the Strait of Hormuz, a process for lifting the U.S. blockade, and future discussions concerning Iran’s nuclear program, including the disposition of its enriched uranium stockpile.
