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U.S.-Iran Cease-fire
April 17, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that he "fully supports the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel as announced by President Trump," while warning that it is already fragile amid continued military activity.
J’apporte tout mon soutien au cessez-le-feu entre le Hezbollah et Israël tel que le Président Trump l’a annoncé hier.
He called for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, saying Hezbollah must renounce its weapons and that Israel must "stop the war," and urged protection for civilians on both sides of the border.
In a separate statement, France described the cease-fire as a "necessary and welcome first step" after weeks of fighting, and urged all parties to fully respect the agreement and avoid actions that could jeopardize it.
The French Foreign Ministry also backed what it called Lebanon's "courageous decision" to open historic talks with Israel, and called for continued negotiations toward a political settlement, including Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, crediting what he described as "bold diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump."
In a post on X, Sharif said he hopes the ceasefire will pave the way for sustainable peace, adding that Pakistan supports efforts aimed at stability in the region.
I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, facilitated through bold and sagacious diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump, and express the hope that it will pave the way for sustainable peace. He reaffirmed Pakistan's "unwavering support" for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Islamabad will continue to back initiatives aimed at lasting peace in the Middle East. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said talks with Israel have not reached a dead end, but are progressing with "great difficulty" due to Israel's insistence on maintaining a presence on Syrian territory. In an interview with Turkish state-owned Anadolu News Agency, al-Sharaa said Syria is "serious" about reaching a security agreement that would preserve regional stability. He said Israel has acted with "great brutality" and is occupying areas near the Golan Heights, while Damascus has chosen a diplomatic path in an effort to avoid further escalation. Al-Sharaa added that Syria has "moved from a state of crisis to a major historic opportunity" for stability and reconstruction, saying the country is now being viewed as a potential source of regional stability following years of war. He said the negotiations have not collapsed but remain difficult, stressing that Syria continues to seek an agreement that would ensure regional stability while rejecting continued Israeli presence on Syrian soil. The Health Ministry said that since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, a total of 7,834 wounded people have been evacuated to hospitals as of Friday. According to the ministry, 78 wounded people are currently hospitalized, including one in critical condition, 16 in serious condition, 28 in moderate condition, and 33 in mild condition. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Friday that Hicham Harb, the main suspect in the 1982 antisemitic attack in Paris, has been extradited from Palestine following what he described as French diplomatic efforts. Barrot said he had met victims' families in September and promised them that France would do everything possible to bring those responsible to trial. "Today, Hicham Harb, the principal accused, has been extradited from Palestine thanks to the mobilisation of French diplomacy," he wrote in a post on X. En septembre dernier, j’ai reçu les familles des victimes de l’odieux attentat antisémite de la rue des Rosiers. Je leur ai promis que nous mettrions tout en œuvre pour amener les suspects devant un tribunal. Aux familles des victimes de l’attentat antisémite de la rue des Rosiers, j’ai marqué notre détermination à ce que justice soit rendue. He added, "Forty-four years after the facts, justice can finally be served," and stressed that France "never forgets and never gives up" in the face of antisemitism and terrorism. In an earlier post, Barrot thanked the Palestinian authorities for the arrest of the main suspect and said it followed a process initiated by the French president. The suspect is accused of involvement in the 1982 attack on the Goldenberg restaurant in Paris, in which six people were killed. In September, French President Emmanuel Macron said Palestinian authorities had arrested a suspect in the case, and that France was awaiting his extradition. A French source told Haaretz that the arrested suspect played a prominent role in the attack, and that the French consul in Jerusalem and the consulate staff led the effort to arrest him in cooperation with the PA. Palestinian reports say Israeli settlers set fire overnight Friday to two vehicles in the western West Bank town of Yatta, south of Hebron. There were no reports of injuries. Footage from a security camera reportedly shows a man carrying a long firearm appearing to secure the scene during the arson. An inquiry into the incident, with emphasis on the armed individual seen in the footage, has been submitted to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. France and the United Kingdom are hosting a conference in Paris on Friday to explore a potential multinational mission to secure commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting, led by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is expected to include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with other participants joining remotely. The United States, Israel, and Iran – all directly involved in the regional conflict dynamics – have not been invited. Yesterday, I spoke with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as with U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussions aim to outline a coordinated Western framework to protect international shipping and restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway once security conditions allow. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, and recent disruptions have contributed to rising energy prices and heightened global market volatility. Since the escalation of the Iran war, Tehran has effectively disrupted maritime traffic through threats and reported attacks on tankers and cargo vessels, while also signaling plans to introduce a transit fee for ships passing through the strait. Merz is expected to present a concrete proposal for German participation. Government sources say Berlin is considering Bundeswehr contributions, including minehunters, an escort vessel, and aerial surveillance assets, subject to political approval and conditions following any cessation of hostilities. In two social media posts Thursday night, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Thursday could have been "a historic day for Lebanon." In a separate Truth Social message after the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon went into effect, Trump added that he hoped the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group "acts nicely and well." "It will be a great moment for them if they do," Trump added. Residents of southern Lebanon began driving toward their homes early Friday after a cease-fire took effect, despite warnings from the Israeli military to stay away. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, previously issued a statement on X calling for civilians to refrain from moving south of the Litani River until further notice. "For your own safety, you are required not to move south of the Litani River," the statement read. #عاجل ‼️رسالة عاجلة إلى سكان جنوب لبنان The Israeli military confirmed its forces remain positioned in southern Lebanon to monitor Hezbollah activity. Military officials maintained that the directive for residents to remain north of the river is intended to ensure civilian safety as the truce begins. Meanwhile, the Lebanese state news agency reported that Israeli artillery continued shelling areas in southern Lebanon for an hour after the cease-fire was implemented. Student delegations to Poland, ceremonies, museums, and educational programs – all of these are essential. But memory is not an end in itself; it is a means. Another five tankers, loaded with approximately 9 million barrels of oil, were spotted in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week and are no longer visible in the images. Amid a fragile ceasefire, Iranians face mounting concerns about their future, with an economy in tatters and fears of growing government control.
Iran command says Hormuz closed again over US blockade
Iran's central military command announced on Saturday it would resume "strict management" of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a decision to unblock the strategic channel as part of negoPakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty andShow moreSyria’s al-Sharaa: Israel talks not deadlocked but face 'great difficulty' over presence in Syria
Israeli Health Ministry: 7,834 wounded since start of war with Iran
'Justice can finally be served': France says 1982 Paris antisemitic attack suspect extradited
Aujourd’hui, Hicham Harb, le principal accusé, a été extradé deShow moreJe remercie les autorités palestiniennes de l’arrestation du principal suspect. C’est le fruit du processus initié par le Président de laPalestinian reports: Israeli settlers set fire to two vehicles in West Bank town
France, U.K. host talks on Hormuz Strait mission as Iran blocks vital shipping route
I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation.Show moreTrump hails Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as 'historic day'
Despite Israeli warnings, resident begin returning to homes in southern Lebanon
⭕️مع دخول اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار حيّز التنفيذ يواصل جيش الدفاع تمركزه في مواقعه في جنوب لبنان في مواجهة النشاطات الإرهابية المستمرة لحزب الله⭕️حرصًا على سلامتكم وسلامة أبناء عائلاتكم - وحتى إشعار آخر - يُطلب منكم عدم الانتقال إلى جنوب نهرShow moreIn the News
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