Israel supports a conditional pause in US strikes on Iran amid deadline pressure and talks, while making clear that military operations in Lebanon will continue.
File photo of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has supported a conditional US-led pause in strikes on Iran while excluding Lebanon from the ceasefire. (Xinhua/IANS)
Israel on Wednesday backed the United States’ decision to pause strikes on Iran for two weeks, but made it clear the move depends on Tehran opening the Strait of Hormuz and stopping attacks across the region.
The support comes at a tense moment in a conflict that started on February 28, with both sides now testing a narrow diplomatic window while holding firm on key conditions.
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In a statement from the office of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel said it supports the decision by Donald Trump to suspend strikes, provided Iran ensures safe passage through the strait and halts all attacks on the US, Israel and other countries in the region.
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The statement added that Israel also backs Washington’s broader push to ensure Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile or terror threat to the region and beyond.
“Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region. Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbours and the world,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Prime Minister’s Office:
Israel supports President Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 8, 2026
Israel, however, underlined that the ceasefire is limited in scope and does not apply to Lebanon. It said operations in South Lebanon will continue, targeting Hezbollah, which it describes as an Iran-backed threat.
“The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shared by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations. The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” the statement added.
The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations.
The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 8, 2026
The US has told Israel that upcoming negotiations will focus on shared goals, involving Washington, Israel and regional allies.
Earlier, President Trump announced the pause in what he described as a “bombing and attack” campaign, calling it a two-week “double-sided ceasefire”. He said a 10-point proposal from Iran could serve as the basis for a longer-term agreement.
“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire,” Trump said.
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East. We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate,” he added.
The decision came just 90 minutes before Trump’s self-imposed 8 pm EST deadline for Iran to respond, following intense backchannel diplomacy that included Pakistan.
A senior US official also confirmed that Trump spoke directly with Netanyahu while finalising the ceasefire framework.
Iran signalled it would match the pause if attacks against it stopped. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s forces would suspend defensive operations under these conditions and allow coordinated safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks.
With all sides stepping back for now, the pause offers a fragile chance to contain the conflict.
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