Israel supports two-week ceasefire with Iran but not Lebanon

Israel backs the U.S. two-week suspension of strikes on Iran, emphasizing the ceasefire excludes Lebanon and urging Tehran to halt regional attacks. Talks between the U.S. and Iran are set to begin in Islamabad on April 10.

Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba/Reuters

8 April 2026 at 03:50:27

Israel supports two-week ceasefire with Iran but not Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026.

Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Israel supports U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, but said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday.

The office said Israel backed the U.S. move provided Tehran immediately opens the straits and stops attacks against the United States, Israel and countries in the region.

The remarks came after Washington announced a two-week suspension of strikes against Iran as part of efforts to de-escalate the conflict and open a window for negotiations.

Israel also said it supports U.S. efforts to ensure Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile or "terror" threat to U.S., Israel and Iran's Arab neighbours, adding that Washington had told Israel it was committed to achieving their shared goals in upcoming negotiations.

Iran said on Wednesday negotiations with the U.S. would begin on Friday, April 10 in Islamabad.

-Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba/Reuters