Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was told not to enter Rafah but did; told not to strike Hezbollah but did; and told not to confront Iran but did.

Iranian state media reported a member of Iran's negotiating team said a draft for exemptions from sanctions on Iranian oil has been finalized and formal publication of the exemptions is expected soon.

On the evening of the 21st, HEZBOLLAH leader Naim Qassem said in a televised address the group would respond to any Israeli aggression, called Israel an aggressor that must withdraw, and said continued Israeli troop presence on Lebanese territory was "impossible" and there is no space in Lebanon for an Israeli "security zone." He added Lebanon has its own national army responsible for safeguarding sovereignty and said HEZBOLLAH cooperates with the Lebanese Armed Forces.