Netanyahu vows Israel will fight on as US-Iran ceasefire takes hold
Last updated: 05:31 UTC, April 09 2026 | Started: 2026-04-09 05:31 | 1 update(s) | Avg confidence: 78/100
The story so far: The 2026 Iran war began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran — codenamed Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion — killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeting nuclear and military infrastructure. Iran retaliated with waves of ballistic missile and drone strikes against Israel and US bases across the Middle East, while closing the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict opened a second front when Hezbollah attacked Israel from Lebanon on March 2, triggering an Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon on March 16.
Latest Updates
2026-04-09 05:31 — Netanyahu vows Israel will fight on as US-Iran ceasefire takes hold
A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect overnight on April 8–9, 2026, 'in full coordination with Israel,' according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised statement on April 9.
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What We Know
- A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect overnight on April 8–9, 2026, 'in full coordination with Israel,' according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised statement on April 9.
- Netanyahu warned the truce is not final: 'We still have objectives to complete, and we will achieve them — either through agreement or through renewed fighting. We are prepared to return to combat at any moment required,' he said, per an AFP-carried statement.
- The IDF simultaneously confirmed it had halted strikes on Iran but stated it 'continues fighting against the Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon,' where Israeli ground forces entered southern Lebanon on 16 March 2026 and are conducting operations toward a declared security zone up to the Litani River.
- Jerusalem's Old City — closed to worshippers throughout the Iran war — was set to reopen for prayer Thursday morning after the IDF Home Front Command loosened wartime safety restrictions; schools across central Israel were also ordered to resume in-person learning, the Times of Israel reported on April 8.
- Since the war began on February 28, 2026, Iranian ballistic missile and drone strikes have killed 23 Israeli civilians and 11 IDF soldiers and wounded at least 6,951 others across Israel, with confirmed hits in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Beit Shemesh, Dimona, and Arad, according to the Jerusalem Post's running tally.
Still Unclear
- AFP, citing Netanyahu's April 9 televised statement: Netanyahu said the ceasefire was reached 'in full coordination with Israel' and that Iran 'enters this pause battered, weaker than ever.'
Times of Israel, citing Lapid and Bennett statements on April 8: Opposition Leader Yair Lapid called the war 'a diplomatic disaster on a scale I do not recall ever seeing,' and former PM Naftali Bennett said Netanyahu 'failed to achieve the war's goals,' warning the ceasefire 'will leave Israel facing a vengeful Iran' more determined to go nuclear.
- Israeli military, cited by Wikipedia/2026 Iran War: The IDF estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 Iranian soldiers and commanders had been killed as of March 13.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights: The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights estimated 5,300+ members of Iranian military forces killed as of March 18.
- (Unverified — state media only / single source — Israeli military confirmation not found in available sources) Hezbollah struck an Israeli military warship with a naval cruise missile 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast on April 5, claiming a direct hit. [Hezbollah statement, carried by Press TV/GlobalSecurity]
- (Unverified — single source / state media — US military confirmation not corroborated in available sources) The IRGC claimed to have targeted US amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), forcing it to retreat into the southern Indian Ocean, on April 6. [IRGC statement, cited in JINSA April 6 update]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|
| Israeli civilians killed by Iranian strikes since February 28, 2026 | 23 killed | Jerusalem Post running tally, April 6 update |
| IDF soldiers killed since February 28, 2026 | 11 killed | Jerusalem Post running tally, April 6 update |
| Israelis wounded by Iranian ballistic missiles since February 28, 2026 | at least 6,951 | Jerusalem Post, April 6 |
| US military personnel injured in the war | at least 365 | JINSA Operations Update, April 6, 2026 |
| Iranian military killed (Israeli military estimate, March 13) | 3,000–4,000 | Israeli military, cited by Wikipedia 2026 Iran War article |
| Iranian strikes on Israel recorded by ACLED (first 5 days of war) | 90+ attempted strikes, ~20 hitting civilian areas | ACLED Middle East Special Issue, March 2026 |
| IAF targets struck in Iran on February 28 opening sortie | 500 military targets | Israeli Air Force statement, cited by Wikipedia 2026 Iran War |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US-Iran ceasefire and does it include Israel?
A two-week temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran came into effect overnight April 8–9, 2026. Netanyahu said it was reached 'in full coordination with Israel,' but Israel has explicitly reserved its right to resume fighting and continues operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Iran demanded be included in any deal.
What has the 2026 Iran war done to oil prices and global shipping?
The war has been described by analysts as the world's largest oil supply disruption since the 1970s energy crisis. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz early in the conflict, disrupting global oil and gas shipments. Israeli airspace was also closed, disrupting flights from Ben Gurion Airport, per multiple reports.
Is Israel still fighting Hezbollah even with the Iran ceasefire?
Yes. The IDF confirmed on April 8 it has halted strikes on Iran itself but 'continues fighting against the Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon.' Israeli ground forces entered southern Lebanon on March 16 and are operating toward a security zone up to the Litani River. Iran had demanded a Hezbollah ceasefire be part of any deal.
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