Lead:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on Saturday directed the Israeli military to halt offensive operations in southern Lebanon while maintaining control of currently occupied territory. The order came amid intensive American diplomatic pressure and as U.S. Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland to hold parallel talks with Iran covering both the Lebanese ceasefire file and Tehran's nuclear program.

Details:

According to Newsd and Al-Akhbar, Israeli Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu and Katz issued directives to the army to cease fire in Lebanon without withdrawing from positions seized during recent operations. Israeli military spokesperson Ella Waavia was quoted as stating that Lebanon is not Israel's enemy and that Hezbollah remains the core problem — a framing that drew immediate rejection from Hezbollah's media relations office, which described Israeli allegations of ceasefire violations as "entirely baseless."

Newsd and An-Nahar report that an emergency session focused specifically on Lebanon was added to the agenda of the U.S.-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, preceding the nuclear file. Vance, speaking before his departure from Washington, stated that the Lebanon ceasefire would be "the main issue" discussed with Iran in Geneva, while also expressing hope for "some progress" on the matter. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was reported by Newsd to have conducted a series of contacts with the American side, anchored in two core principles: achieving a ceasefire and establishing a clear timeline for Israeli withdrawal.

On the ground, An-Nahar and Newsd reported that Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire continued throughout Saturday across multiple towns in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, with Israeli forces conducting a ground incursion toward the Shanuh area near Kfar Shuba. The Lebanese Army mourned two soldiers killed in Israeli strikes — Private Jamil Nahal and Corporal Ali Ibrahim — while Finance Minister Yassin Jaber condemned the targeting of the Banque du Liban branch in Nabatieh, calling it "a direct message to the Lebanese state." Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel argued that Lebanon's protection begins with ending Iranian guardianship and consolidating weapons under state authority.

Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal held a meeting at Yarze with senior command staff, reaffirming according to Newsd and Al-Diyar that civil peace is a "red line" for the institution and that relations with Syrian authorities remain constructive.

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