Israel’s continued military strikes on Lebanon have raised serious concerns over the stability of the recently declared two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

On Wednesday, Israeli air attacks across Lebanon killed at least 254 people and wounded over 1,100 in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, marking the bloodiest day since the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February, reports Al Jazeera.

Israel said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and killed an aide to the group’s chief, Naim Qassem, but Lebanese officials reported extensive damage to civilian areas.

The attacks came hours after Pakistan announced the ceasefire, which it said included all fronts, specifically Lebanon. Iran has echoed Pakistan’s position, warning that attacks on Lebanon could undermine the truce and trigger further escalation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel’s strikes “blatantly violate” the ceasefire, asserting that Iran’s “hands remain on the trigger” and pledging never to abandon its Lebanese allies. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that violations carry “explicit costs and strong responses.”

The United States and Israel, however, argue that the ceasefire only covers US-Iran hostilities, excluding Lebanon. US Vice President JD Vance said Lebanon was “a separate skirmish,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted military operations against Hezbollah would continue. Analysts warn that continuing strikes on Lebanon, a key Iranian ally, may force Tehran to retaliate to maintain its credibility and deter further attacks.

International reaction has been critical of Israel’s attacks. The United Nations, the European Union, and several countries including France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, Spain, and the UK have urged Israel to halt operations and called for Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire. UN chief Antonio Guterres said ongoing military activity in Lebanon “poses a grave risk” to the ceasefire.

More than 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon since the conflict escalated. Talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Saturday to seek a permanent settlement.