Ongoing Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Claims by Trump
Continued Hostilities Despite Ceasefire Agreement
Israeli military operations persisted in Lebanon on Tuesday, even after US President Donald Trump announced that both Israel and Hezbollah had consented to ceasefire terms. This latest offensive followed Trump's assertion that he had engaged with both parties, securing assurances that "all shooting will stop." There are rising concerns that the intensifying conflict in Lebanon could jeopardize ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Lebanese Embassy in Washington confirmed that Hezbollah had accepted a US proposal for a "mutual cessation of attacks," which was intended to halt Israeli strikes on Beirut. However, ground fighting seemed to persist.
Casualties from Israeli Strikes in Southern Lebanon
Deadly Strikes Reported in Southern Lebanon
According to Lebanon's Civil Defence, six individuals lost their lives due to an Israeli strike on the southern village of Marwaniyeh on Monday night. The exact timing of the attack remains unclear. Additionally, the agency reported that one of its facilities in Nabatieh was directly targeted by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in damage to the building and its equipment. The Lebanese army later indicated that two soldiers sustained injuries from what was described as an Israeli drone strike in Nabatieh. The Israeli military confirmed to NBC News that it had executed at least one strike in the region, claiming it was aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure.
Trump's Claims of a Ceasefire
Trump's Ceasefire Claims
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: "There will be no troops sent to Beirut, and any troops en route have already been turned back.” He further claimed to have had a "very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel." This marked the first direct communication between a US President and Hezbollah, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States. Trump's involvement followed reports of rising tensions between Washington and Jerusalem regarding Israel's military actions in Lebanon.
Tensions Between Trump and Netanyahu
Axios reported that Trump expressed frustration towards Netanyahu during a phone call, referring to the Israeli leader in unflattering terms. A US official familiar with the discussions indicated that while one of the calls was tense, it was not as aggressive as some reports suggested. There were two conversations between Trump and Netanyahu on Monday, with one described as unpleasant, though it did not include the harsh language reported elsewhere. The source noted that disagreements between the two leaders are not uncommon. Trump reportedly advised Netanyahu to reduce attacks on Beirut to avoid jeopardizing a potential agreement with Iran.
Panic in Beirut Amid Ongoing Strikes
Threats Against Beirut Spark Panic
The discussions occurred after Netanyahu announced that he had ordered strikes on "terror targets" in the southern suburbs of Beirut in retaliation for Hezbollah's attacks. This declaration caused widespread panic among residents, prompting many to flee parts of the capital. Thousands of displaced individuals have already sought refuge in Beirut after being forced from their homes in southern Lebanon due to Israeli assaults. Netanyahu later stated on X that Israel would continue to strike Beirut if Hezbollah's attacks persisted.