Yechiel Leiter Says Israel Halts Offensive Operations in Lebanon, Keeps Troops Until Hezbollah Is Dismantled

Israel committed to an immediate cease-fire and “halted all offensive operations” in Lebanon, the Israeli ambassador to the United States said on Friday, while also adding that Israel would still act on what it perceived as violations or threats.

“British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned remarks by Israel’s right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who posted “all of Lebanon must burn” after four Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack”

Al Jazeera

The New York Times reported that the ambassador, Yechiel Leiter, said Israeli forces were still operating in southern Lebanon “to rid the area of Hezbollah and dismantle its terror infrastructure,” and that “We will remain there until that mission is accomplished.”

Al Jazeera

In parallel, the Islam Times reported that Doctors Without Borders [MSF] criticized “relentless” and “devastating” shelling in Lebanon’s southern province of Nabatieh, describing conditions as “resembling a death trap” because civilians were still exposed to continuous bombardments.

The Islam Times also said that on Friday two individuals lost their lives due to an “Israeli” drone strike in southern Lebanon, targeting a motorcycle on the Zibdin-Nabatieh road shortly after a ceasefire was announced by the United States between the “Israeli” occupation and Hezbollah.

Earlier Friday, the Islam Times reported that the “Israeli” occupation conducted over 106 strikes throughout Lebanon, resulting in the martyrdom of 47 individuals and injuring 97 others.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned remarks by Israel’s right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he posted “all of Lebanon must burn” following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in a Hezbollah attack.

In a post on X on Friday, Cooper said the comments were “horrendous and abhorrent,” and she appealed to the “Israeli” occupation and Hezbollah to adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon and avoid escalating tensions.

Anadolu Ajansı

The Islam Times reported that Cooper emphasized “ensuring that all civilians are protected,” while MSF urged “unrestricted access for rescue teams” and demanded immediate action to safeguard civilians and emergency personnel.

The Winn FM account tied Cooper’s condemnation directly to Ben-Gvir’s X post, which said “For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!”

The New York Times also framed the ceasefire as fragile and noted that Hezbollah did not immediately comment after the ambassador’s remarks, even as diplomats sought to keep the U.S.-Iranian deal on track.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of seeking a “permanent war” in response to Ben-Gvir’s statements about Lebanon, writing on X that “These are not delirious statements from an isolated genocidal criminal.”

“Lebanon, June 19, 2026 | 16:03 Araghchi accuses Israel of seeking a 'permanent war' after Ben Gvir's statements about Lebanon Abbas Araghchi”

An-Nahar

Araghchi added that “This genocidal doctrine, based in Tel Aviv, poses a threat to humanity as a whole,” and he said its sole goal was “the permanent war.”

The Islam Times reported that MSF said individuals had been “caught under heavy shelling” and demanded immediate action to safeguard civilians and emergency personnel, while also urging “unrestricted access for rescue teams.”

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon had delayed the next stage of talks to end the U.S.-Iranian war, with Swiss officials announcing that negotiations set for Switzerland were postponed.

The New York Times further said the fighting strained relations between Washington and Israel, noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated he is not bound by the U.S.-Iran deal and that the White House delivered rare rebukes of him and other Israeli leaders.