Israel endorses short-term truce between US and Iran

On March 19, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the media during a press conference held in Jerusalem, where a significant development in the region's conflict was unfolding.

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Israel expressed its support for US President Donald Trump's decision to halt the bombing of Iran, a move that came as a two-week ceasefire agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran on Tuesday, just shy of Trump's deadline to launch a devastating attack on Iran.

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The ceasefire, set to commence immediately, was contingent upon Iran guaranteeing safe passage for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of two weeks, during which time diplomatic talks with the US would take place to explore possibilities for ending the war.

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According to plans, negotiations between the US and Iran were scheduled to begin on Friday in Pakistan, marking a crucial step towards potentially resolving the conflict.

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A statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel backed President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for a two-week period, provided that Iran ceased all attacks on the US, Israel, and other countries in the region, and immediately reopened the straits.

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Israel also reaffirmed its support for the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer posed a threat in terms of nuclear, missile, and terror capabilities, underscoring the importance of a lasting resolution to the conflict.

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However, the statement clarified that the ceasefire did not apply to Lebanon, contradicting an earlier announcement made by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had been acting as a mediator in the conflict.

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Sharif had previously stated that the US and its allies had agreed to a ceasefire that would encompass all regions, including Lebanon, implying that Israel had consented to halting its invasion of its northern neighbor.

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The conflict in Lebanon began when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel, prompting an Israeli invasion and air raids across Lebanon that have resulted in the deaths of over 1,500 people, according to official reports.

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Israel had previously encouraged the US to join the war against Iran, its long-standing adversary, and had played a significant role in the initial strikes in February, which resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's long-serving supreme leader.