Yvette Cooper expressed deep worries regarding the increasing Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and emphasized the urgent need for Lebanon to be promptly included in a regional ceasefire agreement. The Foreign Secretary criticized Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Lebanon, deeming it inappropriate as fissures emerged in the ceasefire arrangement. Following Donald Trump’s announcement of the agreement, confusion arose regarding the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with Israel asserting that the war was not covered by the ceasefire, while Pakistan, acting as a mediator, claimed otherwise.
Israel launched multiple attacks on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, boasting about conducting 100 strikes in a span of 10 minutes and insisting that its actions were not part of the peace deal. Cooper, speaking on the matter, highlighted her concerns about the humanitarian impact of the airstrikes, emphasizing the importance of including Lebanon in the ceasefire to halt hostilities for the security of both Israel and the wider Middle East region.
In addition, Cooper is set to deliver a speech demanding unhindered and toll-free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iran should not impose tolls on this crucial international transit route. Global leaders, including Keir Starmer, have called for an end to Israel’s assault on Lebanon and for the U.S.-Iran ceasefire to be made permanent. The French President strongly condemned what he described as indiscriminate Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
US Vice President JD Vance clarified a misunderstanding over the ceasefire, asserting that Lebanon was not covered by the agreement, contrary to Iranian beliefs. Meanwhile, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif announced that an immediate ceasefire, encompassing Lebanon, had been agreed upon by the U.S., Iran, and their allies. The ceasefire deal was sealed by Trump at the last minute after issuing dire warnings to Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which had been blocked by Tehran.