Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have reportedly instructed the military to halt ongoing combat operations in Lebanon, according to local media reports. However, Israeli forces are said to remain deployed in areas under their control in southern Lebanon.
The development comes amid renewed tensions over a fragile ceasefire arrangement in the region. Reports indicate that clashes resumed shortly after a truce was announced, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran has accused the United States and Israel of failing to uphold commitments under a recent framework agreement and warned of restrictions on shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters claimed that continued Israeli military action in Lebanon amounted to a breach of the ceasefire terms.
Iranian authorities said the decision was linked to alleged violations of the agreement signed on June 18 between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, which aimed to reduce hostilities and facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, there have been conflicting accounts regarding the status of shipping through the Strait. While Iranian officials announced restrictions, US Central Command has maintained that commercial maritime traffic continues to move through the waterway.
The latest developments have raised concerns about regional stability and global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation.
