Hezbollah Backs Ceasefire, Warns Israel Against Continued Strikes

Last Updated:April 16, 2026, 23:10 IST

Hezbollah will cautiously accept a Trump announced ceasefire with Israel only if attacks fully stop, credits Iranian pressure.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah has said it will adhere to a ceasefire with Israel announced by US President Donald Trump, but only if Israeli military operations against the group come to a complete halt.

Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi told AFP on Thursday that the group would “cautiously adhere" to the ceasefire, provided Israel does not use it to continue targeted strikes.

“We in Hezbollah will cautiously adhere to the ceasefire on the condition that it is a comprehensive halt to hostilities against us," Moussawi said. He also warned against Israel using the pause to carry out assassinations.

Conditional acceptance of ceasefire

The remarks suggest Hezbollah’s acceptance of the ceasefire remains conditional and fragile, hinging on Israel’s actions on the ground.

The group’s stance reflects broader scepticism among Iran-backed factions about ceasefire arrangements, particularly concerns that pauses in fighting could be used tactically rather than signalling a lasting de-escalation.

Iran’s role highlighted

Moussawi also credited Iran for helping bring about the ceasefire, saying Tehran had exerted pressure “in Lebanon’s favour".

He added that the agreement would not have materialised without Iran viewing the ceasefire as strategically linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil route at the centre of the broader regional conflict.

Tensions remain high

The ceasefire announcement comes amid escalating hostilities across the region, with repeated exchanges between Israel and Iran-backed groups raising fears of a wider war.

While the truce offers a potential pause in fighting, Hezbollah’s guarded response underscores the uncertain durability of the agreement, with both sides likely to test its limits in the coming days.

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