Trump Calls for 'Complete Ceasefire on All Fronts' as U.S.-Iran Deal Begins; Israel Refuses Withdrawal from Lebanon

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday demanded a "complete ceasefire on all fronts" across the Middle East, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran in France. The agreement, signed Wednesday, initiates a 60-day negotiation period starting Thursday aimed at reaching a final accord. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold." The MoU calls for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Despite the U.S. push for a comprehensive ceasefire, Israel has firmly stated it will not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this position on Thursday at an official ceremony concerning Route 60, saying, "We will restore security and prosperity to northern towns. That requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we not leave there, as long as Israel’s security needs require it." A senior Israeli official confirmed that Jerusalem is "conducting stubborn negotiations" with the U.S. on the issue, and the Israel Defense Forces published an updated map of its security zone, signaling no immediate withdrawal.

While Israel has resisted U.S. private calls to pull out, the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, stated that Jerusalem remains committed to a separate U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement with Beirut. "If Hezbollah does not violate the agreement, it will be kept," Leiter tweeted, adding that Israel retains its right to respond to attacks. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, aligned with the Shiite Amal movement and Hezbollah, similarly reaffirmed Lebanon's and Hezbollah's commitment to the ceasefire with Israel, welcoming the U.S.-Iran MoU and Trump's call to adhere to its terms.

The agreement has heightened tensions between Washington and Jerusalem, with Iran claiming that Israel's continued presence in Lebanon violates the MoU. The 60-day negotiation period now faces significant hurdles as Israel insists on maintaining its security zone, raising questions about the feasibility of a full ceasefire. The situation underscores the complex dynamics between the U.S., Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah as diplomatic efforts continue.