Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the IDF to cease operations in Lebanon, an Israeli official told i24NEWS, while insisting the policy has not changed. Separately, Iran confirmed it will attend negotiations in Switzerland on Sunday, demanding the US compel Israel to halt strikes in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the IDF to cease operations in Lebanon on Saturday evening, according to a report by i24NEWS citing an Israeli official who said the policy 'has not changed at all.' The directive comes as the IDF reported Hezbollah fired more than 50 munitions at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Iran confirmed it will send a delegation to Switzerland on Sunday for renewed talks with the US, state-aligned sources told i24NEWS. Tehran said it will demand Washington force Israel to halt its Lebanon strikes.
The ceasefire order contradicts the tone of previous Israeli statements. As The Zioneer reported earlier Saturday, an Israeli official dismissed reports of a ceasefire, saying 'there is no ceasefire.' Israeli operations in Lebanon have continued for weeks, with the IDF carrying out over a dozen pinpoint strikes against Hezbollah targets earlier this week.
It remains unclear whether the hold-fire directive covers all IDF activity in Lebanon or only offensive operations, and whether Hezbollah will reciprocate. The Iran talks represent a new diplomatic track amid ongoing violence.
8 developments
- ConfirmedIDF reportedly ordered to halt strikes in Iran, continue operations in southern Lebanon
- ConfirmedSenior Israeli official warns: If Hezbollah attacks again, Israel will strike with full force
- DevelopingIDF preparing to halt operations in Lebanon, warns against cross-front entanglement
- StrongNetanyahu orders IDF to cease fire in Lebanon after Trump post
Source and signal
- Internal intake