Hezbollah Leader Defies Ceasefire Demanding Israeli Withdrawal
At least seven people died in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah operatives, and four Israeli soldiers, including two officers, were injured in attacks by the militants, as violence in Lebanon continues to rage despite a US-Iran ceasefire. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, issued a defiant outburst demanding Israeli troops leave his country, declaring: “Iran was able to withstand the pressure and reach a memorandum of understanding - an official declaration of the defeat of America and Israel. Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land and stop the aggression. Israel must unconditionally.”
Violence Contravenes Trump’s Memorandum of Understanding
The ongoing violence inside Lebanon contravenes US President Donald Trump’s memorandum of understanding, which sets out a 60-day period of peaceful negotiation. The memorandum, signed last week, was supposed to include a no-fighting clause in Lebanon after Iran insisted it be included to protect its Hezbollah proxy. However, Israel claimed it must retain the right to defend itself against the threat from Hezbollah and needed to keep a large ground force in Lebanon to create a buffer between its northern border communities and Hezbollah forces driven miles inside the frontier.
IDF Targets Hezbollah Tunnel Complex on Ali Taher Ridge
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) stormed the Ali Taher ridge, where a 30-strong force of Hezbollah fighters is holed up in an enormous tunnel complex. The IDF said it will “not allow Hezbollah terrorists to exit the underground tunnel network or operate in the area of the ridge.” This operation marks a significant escalation in the conflict, as both sides continue to clash despite the ceasefire agreement.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Dangerous Amid Ceasefire
The United Nations paused the evacuation of about 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacked a cargo ship. The flare-up on Thursday from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) came after they warned that attempts to cross the strait along a route designated by the UN’s International Maritime Organisation would be “unacceptable and completely dangerous.” The Singapore-flagged ship Ever Lovely continued despite being hit by a missile, with no injuries reported. A number of vessels, including eight South Korean ships, have exited the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran ceasefire announced last week.
Shipping Traffic Drops Significantly Since War Began
Between 40 and 60 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, a vital waterway between Iran and Oman. Pre-war figures reveal about 140 ships were passing through until Trump started his war, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted naval officials saying the route was established without notice or coordination with Iran. They warned: “The only authorised route for passing through the strait of Hormuz is the one declared by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The traffic outside these routes is extremely dangerous and prohibited. Violators will be dealt with.”
