Mediators are engaging in intensive diplomatic efforts to salvage a ceasefire between the US and Iran after Washington appeared to U-turn on a promise that Lebanon was included in the truce, as the country was hit by a wave of Israeli strikes on Wednesday, killing scores of civilians.
Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, called on all leaders in the country to unite in solidarity with the at least 203 people killed in the onslaught on Wednesday, calling the attacks a "blatant challenge to international laws, norms and conventions".
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the attacks were a "dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly Lebanese Republic". Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the offensive was "premeditated", with some believing the Israeli massacre was an attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scupper the US-Iran truce deal to end over a month of fighting.
Syria and China’s foreign ministries each issued statements lambasting the Israeli attacks and reaffirmed their solidarity with Lebanon. The former called for an immediate ceasefire and for relevant UN Security Council resolutions to be implemented, while China said that "Lebanon’s sovereignty and security should not be violated".
Turkey and France condemned the Israeli attacks, while Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Netanyahu’s "contempt for life and international law is intolerable".
"It’s time to speak clearly: Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire. The international community must condemn this new violation of international law. The European Union must suspend its Association Agreement with Israel. And there must be no impunity for these criminal acts," Sanchez said.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, describing the Israeli onslaught as "unjustified and unacceptable".
"We want to avoid there being a second Gaza. We will reiterate this concept to the Israeli Ambassador as well, whom I have summoned to the Farnesina," Tajani said.
The number of countries demanding that the US-Israel ceasefire with Iran must include Lebanon is mounting.
Both the UK and Australia said that the terms of the truce must apply to Lebanon.
Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said his government "firmly believes" Lebanon must be included in the truce, and that the fragile ceasefire must lead to an agreement. Salvaging the ceasefire The latest developments come as informed Iranian sources told The New Arab on Thursday that Pakistani mediators and other parties are working to salvage the ceasefire.
The sources, who asked to remain anonymous, said that Tehran is waiting to see an end to the attacks on Lebanon and commitment to the terms of the truce from the US, before deciding to proceed with further negotiations.
The sources added that the coming hours are "decisive and sensitive" in determining whether Israel will adhere to the ceasefire and end its assault on Lebanon, as promised. Israel 'u-turns' on inclusion of Lebanon in truce Israel’s offensive has further triggered condemnation from countries and officials who say it has walked back on the terms of the truce, which initially included Lebanon.
Reports state it took only around four hours for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say that Lebanon would not be included in the truce, despite Pakistani mediator and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating that it would be.
After the ceasefire was agreed, US President Donald Trump said he had received Iran’s 10-point peace proposal and said it was a "workable basis on which to negotiate". However, early the next morning, Trump appeared to echo Netanyahu's statements and denied that Lebanon would be included in the truce.
The exclusion of Lebanon from the truce agreement appeared to be further cemented during a White House press conference, when spokesperson Carolyn Levitt confirmed that Lebanon was not included in the terms, and that all parties were aware of this.
On Wednesday evening, US Vice President J.D Vance blamed Iran for the possible collapse of the truce, saying: "If Iran wants to let these negotiations collapse...because of Lebanon, which has nothing to do with it, and which the United States has never said is part of the ceasefire, that's ultimately its choice."
Meanwhile, Egypt’s ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, said on Thursday morning that he had met with Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri, where he briefed the Amal leader on efforts to try and secure a ceasefire that includes Beirut.
In a statement following the meeting, Moussa said that they are "attempting to include Lebanon in the agreement, as this is the only way to achieve stability in the region".