Last Updated on April 9, 2026 10:47 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / WEB DESK
A fragile two-week ceasefire across West Asia appeared to be largely holding today, with fewer attacks reported across the region, even as tensions escalated following Israel’s largest strikes on Lebanon in the current phase of the conflict.
Hundreds were reported killed or wounded after Israeli airstrikes hit densely populated areas in Beirut and southern Lebanon, drawing widespread international condemnation. Iran insists Lebanon is part of the ceasefire agreement, while the United States and Israel maintain the truce applies only to direct US-Iran hostilities. Hezbollah also fired rockets toward Israeli border communities, triggering sirens in northern Israel, though exchanges were more limited compared to previous days.
US President Donald Trump said American forces will remain in place until a full agreement is reached with Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that operations against Hezbollah will continue until security is restored for residents in northern Israel.
Iran has sharply criticized Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, warning they could undermine ongoing negotiations. President Masoud Pezeshkian called the attacks a violation of the initial ceasefire agreement and said continued aggression would render talks meaningless. The Israeli military said it eliminated a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem in a strike near Beirut while also targeting weapons depots, launchers, and command centres across southern Lebanon. European diplomats have called for Lebanon to be included in the broader ceasefire, warning that continued strikes risk collapsing the fragile truce. Iran has also not loosened its control over shipping movements through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about global energy supplies if tensions escalate further.