⚠️ CEASEFIRE HOLDS UNDER STRAIN AS IRAN OPENS HORMUZ AND ISRAEL LIFTS RESTRICTIONS
🚢 STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPEN DURING CEASEFIRE WINDOW: President Donald Trump said Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open for commercial passage. A naval blockade remains in force against Iran until ongoing negotiations are completed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that commercial vessels are being allowed full passage during the remaining ceasefire period.
⚠️ ISRAEL LIFTS NATIONWIDE RESTRICTIONS AS CEASEFIRE HOLDS:
▪️ Nationwide restrictions lifted
The Home Front Command has lifted all wartime restrictions across Israel following updated assessments, as the ceasefire with Lebanon appears to be holding alongside the continued truce with Iran.
▪️ Temporary limits in border communities
Communities along the Lebanon border remain under a gathering limit of up to 1,000 people until Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 PM.
▪️ Full activity nationwide by Saturday evening
From Saturday at 8:00 PM, these remaining restrictions will also be lifted, moving all areas of the country to full activity with no limits.
▪️ Guidelines remain under review
The current directives are in effect through April 23 at 8:00 PM, with the Home Front Command continuing ongoing situational assessments and updates as needed.
❗️ ISRAEL: KATZ SAYS IDF HOLDING LEBANON POSITIONS AS CEASEFIRE PAUSES UNFINISHED CAMPAIGN: Defense Minister Israel Katz says the IDF is holding all areas cleared and captured inside Lebanon.
He says operations achieved significant results but are not yet complete.
Katz says over 1,700 terrorists have been eliminated, more than twice the number from the Second Lebanon War.
A security zone up to 10 km deep has been established from the western coast to Mount Hermon to remove invasion threats and prevent direct fire on Israeli communities.
The security zone has been cleared of terrorists, weapons, and civilians, with continued demolition of structures used as Hezbollah outposts.
Areas between the zone and the Litani River remain under Israeli fire control but have not yet been fully cleared.
Katz says a ten-day ceasefire is currently in place with operations paused.
He states that if diplomatic efforts fail, military operations will resume and civilians returning to the area would again need to evacuate.
Katz says Hezbollah disarmament remains the central goal through military or diplomatic means.
He points to direct U.S. involvement and pressure on the Lebanese government as a key diplomatic lever.
❗️ HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: Six IDF soldiers were injured in southern Lebanon after an explosive device detonated. Two are in serious condition.
All were evacuated for medical treatment, and their families were notified.
🗣️ Lebanese Leadership Response: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said direct negotiations are essential and called for unified national responsibility as international attention remains on Lebanon.
He outlined priorities of stabilizing the ceasefire, securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and resolving remaining border disputes.
Aoun described the ceasefire as the gateway to continued negotiations and said it has local and international support.
No reference was made to steps toward disarming Hezbollah.
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