Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yehiel Leiter said that Israel has halted its strikes in Lebanon, according to i24NEWS. The statement is the first on-record confirmation of a pause in operations, amid reported US pressure to preserve a developing agreement.
Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yehiel Leiter confirmed on Friday evening that Israel has halted its strikes in Lebanon, according to i24NEWS. The statement, provided at 16:10 Jerusalem time, is the first on-record confirmation by an Israeli official of a pause in operations, following hours of conflicting signals from various sources throughout the day.
Earlier Friday, the news broke through a US official at 16:10 Jerusalem that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire effective 16:00 local time, with an Israeli source separately confirming the deal. By 16:10, multiple Israeli officials had stated the ceasefire was in effect but emphasized that the IDF remained deployed in the southern Lebanon security zone and retained full freedom of action against threats. By late afternoon, Ambassador Leiter added that the ceasefire hinges on Hezbollah compliance and that Israel had halted offensive operations at 11:30 ET (18:30 Jerusalem). The IDF spokesperson, however, simultaneously stated that strikes would continue as needed, underscoring the fragile nature of the halt.
The Zioneer previously reported, citing a single report on Wednesday June 17 at 12:31 Jerusalem, that the US had urged Israel to refrain fully from Lebanon operations to preserve an emerging agreement. On Sunday June 14 at 20:33 Jerusalem, the desk noted that US diplomatic efforts to prevent an Iranian retaliatory strike had intensified, linked to a broader push for a nuclear deal with Tehran. That same evening at 20:53 Jerusalem, the US reportedly warned Iran that it could not restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Tehran attacked.
The scope and duration of the halt remain unclear. Neither the IDF nor the Prime Minister's Office has issued a parallel statement confirming the cessation of all strikes, and the ambassador's remarks did not specify whether the pause applies to all operations or is temporary. The IDF's stated retention of freedom of action leaves room for continued targeting of emerging threats.
9 developments
- DevelopingIsraeli ambassador to US responds to Iranian threats, ceasefire allegations
- DevelopingUS ambassador to Lebanon says IDF strikes on Beirut will continue if Hezbollah attacks persist
- DevelopingIsrael returns to Lebanon ceasefire — no initiated strikes unless attacked, Israeli official says
- StrongSenior US official reportedly says Israel and Hezbollah to cease fire at 16:00
Source and signal
- Internal intake