Israeli media say Israel will pause strikes on Iran at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, while continuing military operations in Lebanon, an unnamed senior official told Ynet. The official said he believes "the current escalation is behind us," but stressed strikes in Lebanon will continue "with full force." Reports from Ynet and Kan were later corroborated to dpa by an Israeli source. Iran said its attacks had ended but warned of "tougher and more devastating measures" if fighting continues, including over southern Lebanon.
Israel Pauses Strikes on Iran at Trump's Request — Lebanon Campaign To Continue "With Full Force"
FILE PHOTO - Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre as Israeli forces continued to expand their invasion in south Lebanon mid ongoing direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington. (is associated with: «Reports: Israel to halt attacks on Iran, continue campaign in Lebanon») Stringer/dpa
Israeli media reported on Monday that Israel intends to pause strikes on Iran at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, while continuing its military operations in Lebanon, according to an unnamed senior Israeli government official.
The official, quoted by the news portal Ynet, said he was under the impression that "the current escalation is behind us." Following a meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle, the official said Israel would halt attacks directed at Iran.
"The current escalation is behind us," the official said, adding that operations in Lebanon would continue "with full force."
Ynet also reported the official warned that if the Lebanese Hezbollah militia fires on northern Israel again, Israel would again strike the Beirut suburbs. The Israeli broadcaster Kan published a similar report: a pause on strikes against Iran but continued operations in southern Lebanon.
There was initially no formal government confirmation of the reports. An Israeli source familiar with the matter later confirmed the media accounts to the news agency dpa.
Background And Recent Escalation
Israeli strikes on suburbs of Beirut precipitated a flare-up in fighting on Sunday. Iran then responded by striking Israel for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took effect in early April. On Monday afternoon Iran's military leadership declared its attacks on Israel to be over, but warned that "tougher and more devastating measures than before" would follow if hostilities continue — including in response to Israeli actions in southern Lebanon.
The situation remains fluid, with media reports and unnamed sources providing the primary account of decision-making. Officials from Israel, Iran, Lebanon and the United States have not all issued full, simultaneous confirmations, leaving the potential for renewed escalation if any party resumes offensive actions.
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