Israel Reportedly Dissatisfied with US Handling of Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Israel has expressed significant dissatisfaction with the United States' management of the recent ceasefire agreement with Iran, according to a detailed report from The Wall Street Journal. The report indicates that Israeli officials were brought into the loop only at the final stage of the truce negotiations, leading to concerns over late notice and inadequate consultation. This development comes even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly endorsed the move while simultaneously drawing clear limits on its operational scope.
Limited Coordination and Israeli Objections
According to The Wall Street Journal, Israeli officials were unhappy with multiple aspects of the agreement, including the timing of their involvement and specific provisions. The report, citing mediators and a source familiar with the matter, revealed that coordination was minimal, limited to a brief call from US President Donald Trump to Netanyahu shortly before the ceasefire was publicly announced. The United States and Iran jointly announced a two-week ceasefire early Wednesday, along with plans for negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. As part of this arrangement, Iran agreed to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a move that could help stabilize global energy supplies by ensuring the free flow of oil.
Netanyahu's Public Support and Private Concerns
Despite the reported internal concerns, Netanyahu publicly supported the US decision in a post on X. He wrote, "Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region." Approximately four hours after Trump's announcement, Netanyahu's office issued an official statement welcoming the ceasefire. However, the statement emphasized that the truce does not extend to Lebanon, contradicting claims made by Pakistani mediators. "The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals… The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon," Netanyahu asserted. The Wall Street Journal report confirmed that Israel objected to the reported inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire framework, viewing it as a separate operational front that should not be part of the agreement.
Netanyahu's Firm Stance on Continued Operations
In a televised address, Netanyahu underlined that the truce is temporary and does not signal the end of the conflict. He stated, "Let me be clear: We still have objectives to complete, and we will achieve them — either through agreement or through renewed fighting. We are prepared to return to combat at any moment required. Our finger remains on the trigger. This is not the end of the campaign, but a step along the way to achieving all our objectives." He added that Iran enters this pause in a weakened state, noting, "Iran enters this pause battered, weaker than ever." Responding to criticism from opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid who termed the truce a "diplomatic disaster," Netanyahu claimed the ceasefire came "in full coordination with Israel," and denied any last-minute surprises, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Military Actions and Ongoing Tensions
Netanyahu further detailed Israel's military achievements, stating that strikes had targeted Iran's missile production facilities and nuclear infrastructure, while disrupting networks linked to the Revolutionary Guards. He reiterated that military operations against Hezbollah would continue unabated, declaring, "We continue to strike it with force," as the Israeli military pursues its objective of disarming the group. On the ground, tensions remain high despite the truce. The ceasefire showed signs of strain on Thursday when Hezbollah announced it had fired rockets towards Israel. According to AFP, the Iran-backed group targeted the Israeli kibbutz of Manara near the Lebanon border "in response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement." This attack followed a wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon a day earlier, which marked Israel's heaviest bombardment since Hezbollah entered the conflict in early March. The strikes hit multiple locations, including central Beirut, resulting in at least 182 deaths and nearly 900 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
