White House says Israel Hezbollah fighting not covered under Iran ceasefire
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has said that Israel’s ongoing war with Hezbollah in Lebanon is not part of the recently announced ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
According to PBS journalist Elizabeth Landers, Trump made it clear in a conversation that the Israel-Hezbollah conflict falls outside the scope of the two-week conditional truce unveiled on Tuesday.
“They were not included in the deal. That will get taken care of too. It’s alright,” Trump was quoted as saying, describing the Lebanon conflict as a “separate skirmish.”'
White House reinforces position
The clarification was echoed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed in remarks to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah were not included in the ceasefire framework.
The comments underscore Washington’s position that the truce is narrowly focused on halting direct hostilities between the US and Iran, without extending to broader regional conflicts.
Escalation in Lebanon continues
The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has intensified sharply in recent weeks.
While the two sides have been in a prolonged state of hostilities for years, Israel has significantly expanded its operations since launching coordinated military action alongside the US against Iran in late February.
These operations have included a ground invasion and sustained airstrikes across southern Lebanon, marking one of the most intense phases of the conflict in recent years.
Mounting humanitarian toll in Lebanon
Lebanese officials report that more than 1,500 people have been killed in Israeli operations, including around 130 children, with tens of thousands displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon.
The escalating violence has raised concerns about a widening humanitarian crisis and the risk of further regional spillover, even as diplomatic efforts focus on stabilizing US-Iran tensions.
Israel signals long-term military presence
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has indicated that Israeli forces may maintain a presence in parts of southern Lebanon even after the conflict subsides.
He said displaced residents would not be allowed to return until the security of Israeli citizens is fully guaranteed, suggesting a prolonged military footprint in the region.
While the US-Iran ceasefire has provided a temporary pause in one dimension of the conflict, Trump’s remarks highlight the fragmented nature of peace efforts in the region.
With Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah continuing unabated, the broader Middle East remains on edge, and the risk of escalation persists despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
