Hezbollah Commits to Ceasefire Despite Israeli Attacks; Awaits Official Stance on Agreement

Hezbollah has reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Israel despite ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Lebanon is not covered by the broader ceasefire framework, according to sources close to the Lebanese resistance movement.

The group said it intends to formally announce its position on Netanyahu's remarks in the coming hours, signaling a potentially significant escalation in the war of words between the two sides. The development comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as international mediators have worked for months to maintain the fragile truce that has largely held along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Sources within Hezbollah told regional media outlets that the movement remains bound by the terms of the ceasefire and has no intention of initiating hostilities, but warned that continued Israeli provocations could test the limits of the agreement. The sources emphasized that Hezbollah views the ceasefire as a commitment made to the Lebanese people and the international community, not to Israel directly.

Netanyahu's assertion that Lebanon falls outside the scope of the ceasefire agreement has drawn sharp criticism from Lebanese officials and regional analysts, who view it as an attempt to create a legal and diplomatic pretext for further military action in Lebanese territory. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati responded by calling on the United Nations and guarantor states to clarify the terms of the agreement and hold Israel accountable for any violations.

The ceasefire, brokered with significant involvement from Qatar, France, and the United States, was designed to de-escalate tensions that had simmered since the outbreak of the broader regional conflict. Qatar, which has played a central role in mediation efforts across multiple fronts, has consistently called for respect of Lebanese sovereignty and adherence to international agreements. Doha has maintained that any lasting peace in the region must address the root causes of conflict, including the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Regional observers noted that Netanyahu's comments appear aimed at his domestic political base, where hardline coalition partners have pushed for an expanded military campaign in Lebanon. However, analysts warned that undermining the ceasefire framework could have catastrophic consequences for civilian populations on both sides of the border and risk drawing in additional regional actors.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, reported several Israeli military movements near the Blue Line in recent days but stopped short of characterizing them as ceasefire violations pending a full review. The force called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

As the region awaits Hezbollah's formal response, diplomatic channels remain active, with Qatari and French envoys reportedly engaged in intensive consultations aimed at preserving the ceasefire and preventing a return to open hostilities.