After strikes that killed dozens in southern Lebanon, Israel decided to halt its attacks — a decision that does not include withdrawing from the territory it has seized since March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered a cessation of attacks on Lebanon.
Israeli Channel 12 confirmed that, on the orders of the prime minister and defence minister, the Israeli army has suspended its operations in Lebanon. According to the source, the decision does not include withdrawal from the territories Israel has occupied since last March.
The channel said the instructions came after coordination between the political leadership and the United States, stressing that the army will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. The Israeli news website Walla also reported that the Israeli army chief of staff issued a ceasefire order for southern Lebanon following a meeting to assess the security situation.
Shortly before the decision, Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people in Lebanon yesterday, hours after a ceasefire had taken effect. Israel said its strikes were in response to attacks launched by Hezbollah.
The National News Agency said Israeli warplanes and drones struck positions in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, noting that the strikes hit around 20 areas, particularly Nabatieh and its surroundings. The Lebanese army announced that a soldier was killed in an Israeli strike in the south of the country.
The army said in a statement: