8 April 2026 Israeli attacks on Lebanon

Pakistan mediated the 2026 Iran war ceasefire and said Lebanon was included in the ceasefire, temporarily halting the 2026 Iran war for two weeks. Shortly after, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that was the case. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the US–Iran ceasefire announcement and praised efforts by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, saying he hoped it would mark a first step toward a comprehensive deal. U.S. President Donald Trump later told PBS News Hour that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire. However, French president Emmanuel Macron said Lebanon was fully included in the ceasefire. Hezbollah said that it halted attacks on Israel and on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon. On 9 April, CBS News spoke to diplomats who agreed that initially President Donald Trump had included Lebanon in the ceasefire, and even Israel had initially agreed to these terms. However, the United States changed its position after a phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ==Attacks==

The Israeli attacks, involving fifty fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force and about 160 munitions, hit targets in central Beirut without prior warning, including at least five different neighborhoods in Beirut's central and coastal areas. Several strikes occurred in busy commercial and residential locations during rush hour, causing widespread panic in the streets. Israel dubbed its attacks "Operation Eternal Darkness" and said it targeted Hezbollah assets including headquarters, intelligence centers, missile infrastructure, sites related to the Radwan Force and aerial and naval units. The attacks were the largest since the start of the war, and to have killed at least 250 Hezbollah militants. The IDF said that Ali ​Yusuf Harshi, the nephew and personal secretary of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, was killed in Beirut. Shmestar funeral An Israeli airstrike targeted a cemetery in the Beqaa Valley village of Shmustar during a funeral, killing at least 10 mourners and wounding four others. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the strike directly hit the cemetery where the funeral was being held. Israeli forces also reportedly caused extensive damage at the hospital. Local Lebanese news also reported an airstrike near that hospital that killed four people. Israel also struck an ambulance near Tyre. ==Aftermath==

Hospitals in Beirut were "flooded" by casualties. Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine described the situation as catastrophic, with civil defense teams still searching through damaged buildings and assisting the wounded. CNN reported that after a "tense" call, Prime Minister Netanyahu feared President Trump would declare Lebanon truce if Netanyahu did not announce truce negotiations with Lebanon. On 10 April, it was announced that a round of Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire negotiations has been scheduled. According to Reuters, these talks were "historic"; it also noted support from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who called for the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the talks would focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and could lead to a historic peace agreement. ==Reactions==

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the event as a "massacre", and the government announced a day of mourning and public holiday. Iranian state media reported that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Saeed Khatibzadeh, the deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, reportedly sent a message to the Oval Office that "you can not have a cake and eat it too". European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper called for Lebanon to be included in the Iran war ceasefire, while French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that the Israeli strikes are "unacceptable". The Israeli actions were condemned by Lebanon, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, Norway, Oman, Algeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Spain, Syria, Turkey, and the United Nations. The EU and UK called for including Lebanon in the ceasefire. and Venezuela expressed solidarity with Lebanon. Pope Leo issued a statement in solidarity. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attacks "wrong". Spain called on the European Union to suspend the 1995 Association Agreement with Israel due to the "intolerable violation of international law". India, as well as Japan, expressed "deep concern". The Philippines expressed concern and called for a ceasefire. Greece's prime minister called the attacks "counter-productive". Despite widespread local and Western condemnations, the United States government was notably silent regarding the incident. The United Nations, the Red Cross, the Arab League, and the Apostolic Nunciature to Lebanon, among others, condemned the Israeli attacks. Protests erupted outside of the Israeli Embassy in London. == See also ==