Fury and intense criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are prevailing in Israel following the two-week ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran, with the opposition describing it as a historic diplomatic catastrophe. Israeli media claim that Trump is forcing Israel to pay a high price, maintaining that the Iranians "did whatever they wanted" with the Trump administration and that the outcome is not just an Iranian achievement but a major national victory for Tehran.
At the same time, confusion surrounds the truce agreement regarding Lebanon. While Israel asserts that the deal does not include Lebanese territory, Pakistan—which mediated the accord—flatly contradicts this, stating the ceasefire covers all fronts and that a halt to hostilities in Lebanon was a primary Iranian condition. Despite the announcement, the Israeli military has proceeded with fresh attacks and issued urgent evacuation orders for residents of Tyre.
Global clown
Anger is boiling over in Israel regarding the US-Iran ceasefire, with Israeli media outlets remarking that US President Donald Trump has become a "global clown" and that Iran has dictated the terms. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Trump’s retreat in the face of Iran’s 10-point proposal and the commencement of the truce have caused shock among Zionists, who emphasized that the US President has been turned into a laughingstock on the world stage.
Hebrew media reported that the Iranians "played the Trump administration" and that the current situation represents a "magnificent victory" for the Islamic Republic. These statements came in response to the two-week ceasefire announcement, which serves as a prelude to negotiations for a final deal. Meanwhile, a military correspondent for the Israeli network i24 commented ironically on the announcement, calling for a "clear definition of the future timeline."
Shai Tzvi, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for Policy and Strategy, stated that if Lebanon is indeed included in the deal, it constitutes a massive achievement for Iran. Furthermore, Channel 14 criticized Donald Trump, asking "what world is he living in to present a surrender agreement as an achievement," adding that the most concerning part is that Israel is not denying this "madness." Israeli outlets stressed that Trump became a "global clown" by failing to withstand pressure, depicting him as weak. Hebrew sources noted that the truce announcement coincided with Iranian missile launches toward Israel as a form of mockery.
Ynet: Trump forces Israel to pay a high price
The Israeli portal Ynet reports that US President Donald Trump is compelling Israel to pay a steep price by agreeing to the two-week ceasefire with Iran. "Trump is forcing Israel to pay the bill for a truce that released him from his obligation to keep his word and 'open the gates of hell' on Iran," Ynet points out, noting that Israel is being pressured to halt combat operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah at the most critical juncture of the conflict.
"Simultaneously, the operation in southern Lebanon is only in its first phase, while in the rest of the country, Hezbollah remains active and continues to launch missiles at Israel," the report mentions.
Netanyahu: The 2-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon
The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran does not include Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted. This statement could jeopardize the implementation of the agreement, given that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the truce applies to Lebanon as well. "Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, provided Iran immediately opens the Straits and ceases all attacks against the US, Israel, and regional countries," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
"Israel also supports the US effort to ensure Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile, or terrorist threat to America, Israel, and its neighbors," the statement continues. "The US informed Israel that they are committed to achieving these goals in upcoming negotiations. The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon," the office concluded. Notably, Trump also omitted any mention of Lebanon in his official announcement.
Lapid: There has never been such a diplomatic catastrophe
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Iran ceasefire. "There has never been such a diplomatic catastrophe in our entire history," Lapid wrote on X. "Israel was not even at the table when decisions were made regarding the core of our national security," he underlined.
Lapid added that while the armed forces performed their duties and the public showed resilience, Netanyahu "failed diplomatically and strategically, achieving none of his own stated goals." "It will take years to repair the diplomatic damage caused by Netanyahu due to arrogance and a lack of strategic planning," Lapid remarked.
New IDF attacks in Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces are once again calling on Lebanese civilians to evacuate the city of Tyre. Meanwhile, several Israeli strikes were reported by Lebanese media in southern Lebanon this Wednesday morning, April 8, following the ceasefire announcement. "Urgent warning to the residents of Tyre, specifically in Shabriha... you must evacuate your homes immediately," said military spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee on X, attaching a map of a target building.
The entire city had previously received a general evacuation order covering southern Lebanon, and the IDF has repeatedly ordered residents to leave over the past few weeks.
Axis of Resistance honors the ceasefire, Hezbollah halts attacks
Forces of the Axis of Resistance have signaled their intention to honor the truce agreed upon between the US and Iran. Specifically, three Lebanese sources close to Hezbollah report that the group stopped firing at northern Israel and Israeli forces in southern Lebanon early Wednesday morning as part of the two-week window.
The Lebanese Army's appeal
Simultaneously, the Lebanese Army has appealed to citizens not to return to villages in southern Lebanon following Israel's declaration that the Iran ceasefire does not apply to the fight against Hezbollah. "Due to developments and reports of a truce, the army command calls on citizens to avoid returning to southern towns and not to approach areas where Israeli occupation forces have advanced, to ensure their safety from ongoing Israeli attacks," the statement read.
Overnight, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a key mediator between Washington and Tehran, claimed the ceasefire would include Lebanon. However, Netanyahu’s office denied this, followed by reports of new Israeli strikes.
Ceasefire from pro-Iranian groups in Iraq
A similar stance is being taken by pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq, who announced a suspension of attacks on "enemy bases" in the region. "The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announces the suspension of operations for two weeks," the alliance stated in a brief Telegram message.
Macron's intervention: Lebanon must be included
French President Emmanuel Macron described the Middle East ceasefire as "extremely positive" today. Speaking before a Defense Council meeting at the Elysée Palace, Macron announced that 15 countries are mobilizing for a defensive mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with Iran.
Macron also described the situation in Lebanon as critical and reiterated that France wants the country included in the ceasefire, following Netanyahu's claim that it was excluded from the Washington-Tehran deal. "We want to ensure the truce applies fully to Lebanon," Macron stated.
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