Israel's Surprise Assault on Lebanon Shatters Ceasefire Hopes

Thu Apr 09 2026 18:36:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A sudden and devastating airstrike by Israel on Lebanon escalates tensions amidst a newly declared two-week ceasefire, leading to significant casualties and international condemnation.

A brief peace was shattered when Israeli jets executed a massive aerial assault on Lebanon, killing over 200 people just hours after a ceasefire was announced. No U.S. criticism was directed at Israel, despite widespread condemnation from local and international voices. The attacks come amid ongoing conflict tied to tensions with Hezbollah and Iran.

The guns were supposed to have fallen silent.

It was, after all, just hours after US President Donald Trump had announced that a two-week ceasefire had been agreed to halt the war in the Middle East.

But just as the region was breathing a sigh of relief, Israeli jets conducted a 10-minute blitz across Lebanon - a massive aerial attack that killed at least 203 people and wounded more than 1,000 others, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

Local and Western condemnation was swift and widespread, but no criticism came from the US against its ally in this war.

Iran said this was a grave violation of the ceasefire deal and has asked the US to halt the Israeli aggression.

Lebanese officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed since Israel launched its latest campaign in Lebanon last month. Israel has said its operations are aimed at weakening Hezbollah and achieving what it calls remaining military objectives.

The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February - prompting retaliation from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf, and from Iran's proxies - Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen - against Israel.

In response, Israel began striking Hezbollah and even ordered its troops to occupy large parts of Lebanon.

The two-week pause in the fighting was announced by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif - who has been serving as mediator between the warring parties. Sharif said the US and its allies have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere.

Iran's plan insists on a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including against the resistance of Lebanon - a reference to its Shia ally in Lebanon.

But the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, asserting that the conflict is a separate skirmish due to Hezbollah's involvement.

As of Thursday, Israel continued its attacks, claiming to have killed 70+ terrorists and targeting Hezbollah strongholds. However, there is skepticism about whether military action alone will yield lasting peace or disarm Hezbollah.