The United States and Iran have agreed to extend their ceasefire by 60 days, with a formal signing scheduled for Friday in Geneva. The memorandum of understanding calls for a permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon. However, Israel, which is not a party to the agreement, has announced its intention to maintain troops in southern Lebanon, directly challenging the terms of the deal.
Israeli Opposition Threatens Deal
Israeli officials have made clear they do not intend to abide by the ceasefire terms, stating that their military presence in southern Lebanon will continue. This stance has raised concerns that Israel may actively work to undermine the agreement. Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, noted, 'The Israelis are trying to destroy this deal, and they will continue to try.'
'It will require persistent, consistent pressure by Trump on the Israelis in order to hold them back,' Parsi added.
The disagreement highlights the ongoing tension between US diplomatic efforts and Israeli military strategies in the region. As the US and Iran move toward formalizing the ceasefire, Israel’s refusal to comply poses a significant obstacle to achieving lasting peace.