US-Israel-Iran War News LIVE Updates: Israel’s Ben Gvir calls Lebanon ceasefire a ‘grave mistake’, says Beirut is ‘partner to Hezbollah’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir smile in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem. (AP Photo)
US-Iran War LIVE: Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticised the US-brokered Lebanon ceasefire, calling it a “grave mistake”. He argued that Hezbollah remains active south of the Litani River despite the agreement. “Hezbollah has not left the area south of the Litani River, and the Lebanese army has no way of enforcing their removal,” the far-right minister wrote in a post on X. “The state of Lebanon is a partner of Hezbollah. There are ministers in its government representing Hezbollah, and family of Hezbollah members serve in the Lebanese army,” he said.
Tehran says US-Israel war with Iran will only end when it ends ‘also ends in Lebanon’: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the war with the US-Israel will only end when hostilities in Lebanon end. “We hold the same position regarding a ceasefire, and the same position regarding ending the war,” Araghchi said in an interview with Arab media outlet Al Mayadeen, shared by Iran’s foreign ministry. Iran has repeatedly said that any ceasefire agreement involving Iran must also cover Lebanon, arguing that the conflicts cannot be treated separately. Araghchi also said that the end of the war must include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
Four Republicans join Democrats to pass resolution halting Iran war: The United States House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a resolution restricting Trump’s ability to continue the war against Iran. The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in favour of the war powers resolution, directing Trump to withdraw US troops from Iran unless Congress declares war or authorises the use of military force. “The passage of this WPR today signals a significant turning point: more and more Republicans are listening to their constituents who do not want another open-ended war in the Middle East,” Representative Gregory Meeks, a sponsor of the war powers resolution, said in a statement following the vote.
Israel, Lebanon renew ceasefire, agree on Hezbollah-free security zones: Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and create several “pilot” security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah militants would be banned. In a joint statement released after a fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department, the two sides said the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River. “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the statement read.