Israel Kills 182 in Beirut Strikes Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Excluding Lebanon

Israel launched its most powerful attacks on Lebanon since the war began.

The strikes came hours after the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, which Israel and the U.S. said did not include Lebanon.

Al Jazeera

Netanyahu vowed to continue degrading Hezbollah and said Israel would begin direct talks with Lebanon to disarm the group.

The timing and scale of the strikes raised widespread international condemnation.

The Israeli military said the strikes were the result of meticulous planning over weeks.

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran included reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel and the U.S. explicitly excluded Lebanon from the deal.

Al-Jazeera Net

Trump told PBS News that Lebanon was not included because of Hezbollah.

Iran and Hezbollah said the ceasefire did include Lebanon, creating a fundamental divergence.

The White House demanded the Strait of Hormuz be reopened after Iran closed it again.

European countries reacted with alarm to Israel's strikes on Lebanon.

British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper warned that failure to extend the ceasefire will destabilize the whole region.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the strikes unacceptable.

Spain's Foreign Minister Albares accused Israel of violating international law and the ceasefire.

The Soufan Center thinktank observed that Israel's strikes can be understood as an effort to drive a wedge between Iran and its proxies.

Netanyahu announced that Israel would begin direct talks with Lebanon.

The U.S. State Department confirmed it would host the talks.

AP News

Lebanese Prime Minister Salam pledged to restrict weapons to legitimate forces only.

The Lebanese government has no direct control over Hezbollah.

The uncertainty over Lebanon cast a shadow over preparations for U.S.-Iran talks.