Netanyahu threatens Beirut strikes despite Trump's ceasefire call

Israel remains resolute in its confrontation with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, despite a declared halt to mutual attacks by U.S. President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Trump via the platform X that Israel would target terror sites in Beirut if Hezbollah continued its assaults on Israeli cities.

"Israel's position on this has not changed," Netanyahu stated. He added that the Israeli army would proceed with its operations in southern Lebanon as planned. This comes after Trump announced on Truth Social that both sides would pause their attacks, and Israel would refrain from deploying troops to Beirut.

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Israel's position on this has not changed.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, however, specified that Trump's announced cessation of Israeli strikes pertains only to the southern suburbs of Beirut. "Following the proposed agreement, Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut will cease, while Hezbollah, in return, will refrain from attacks against Israel," the presidential office announced on X. The ceasefire is intended to extend to the entire Lebanese territory, with Hezbollah reportedly agreeing to the U.S. proposal for a mutual halt in hostilities, according to the Lebanese authorities.

The tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have significantly escalated recently. Although a ceasefire was brokered in mid-April between Israel and the Lebanese government, Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel, and daily exchanges of fire have continued, causing casualties, particularly in Lebanon. Netanyahu had previously threatened strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Israeli forces have advanced further inland in Lebanon but remain distant from the capital. Representatives from both countries have been engaged in talks in Washington for weeks to de-escalate the conflict, with further discussions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Following the proposed agreement, Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut will cease, while Hezbollah, in return, will refrain from attacks against Israel.