CBC News reported on Thursday that a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is facing significant challenges due to ongoing conflict in Lebanon and Iran’s response.

Lebanon Conflict Escalates

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in over 200 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries, according to reports cited during the CBC News broadcast. The attacks targeted Hezbollah positions, but human rights organizations and the Associated Press report that most casualties are civilians.

According to Fawaz Jurgis, chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Israel is attempting to “collectively punish the civilian population.” He stated that the Italian president and Pakistani prime minister have condemned Israel’s actions as violations of the ceasefire.

There is disagreement over whether the ceasefire extends to Lebanon. While southern Lebanon believes it does, the U.S. and Israel assert that it does not. Over a million people in southern Lebanon have been displaced by the fighting.

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz

Iran has reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to the CBC News broadcast. This action poses a further threat to the ceasefire deal.

Jurgis expressed little confidence in the ceasefire’s ability to hold, describing the situation as “very fragile” and characterized by “huge divide” between the U.S. and Iran and “diplomatic ambiguity.” He suggested that without intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, planned talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad may not take place.

Jurgis also claimed that American officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, are reportedly angry with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of risking Israel’s security and potentially leading the U.S. into a “catastrophic war” with Iran. He stated that Netanyahu may have been motivated by domestic political concerns, with elections approaching in Israel.