Tensions Persist in the Middle East Despite US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, even as the United States claims a two-week ceasefire agreement has been reached between Washington and Tehran. Reports indicate that airstrikes and missile launches continue in various regions.
Israel has continued its military operations against Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement with Iran announced on Wednesday, April 8. Airstrikes targeted the city of Tyre after Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents in southern Lebanon. According to Aljazeera, Israeli forces have also enforced forced evacuations in several areas of Beirut, including Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tawhidat al-Ghadir, and Shiyah.
Currently, approximately 1.2 million Lebanese are displaced due to indiscriminate Israeli attacks. Recent airstrikes have reportedly killed at least eight people in the city of Sidon.
These attacks occurred shortly after Pakistan announced that the ceasefire between Iran and the US was officially in effect. However, Israel has not recognized that the ceasefire applies to Lebanon. The Israeli military is targeting Hezbollah militias in Lebanon, which are key supporters of Iran in its confrontations with Israel and the US.
Meanwhile, the National News Agency of Lebanon reported that Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has strongly condemned the Israeli attacks amid the ceasefire. Berri expressed his concerns over Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Salman Athar.
Historically, Israel has been known to disregard ceasefire agreements. In Gaza, for instance, violence has continued despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October 2025, with over 700 individuals reported killed by Israeli forces as of the end of March.
Previously, as a mediator, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the US, Iran, and their allies had agreed to a ceasefire worldwide, including in Lebanon. « I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon, » Sharif wrote on social media, as reported by CNA.
However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that Lebanon is not included in the two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran. « Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks, provided Iran immediately opens the strait and ceases all attacks against the US, Israel, and countries in the region, » Netanyahu’s office stated on April 8, 2026, according to CNN.
Source: Aljazeera, CNA
