Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance that Israel will strike Beirut if Hezbollah continues its attacks. This declaration comes despite U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah would cease.
According to reports from the Times of Israel and Ynet on June 1, Netanyahu stated, "I spoke with President Trump this evening and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and civilians, Israel will target terrorist sites in Beirut." He added, "This position has not changed."
Netanyahu also indicated that operations in southern Lebanon would continue. He said, "At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces will continue operations in southern Lebanon as planned," signaling that military pressure on Hezbollah would not be lifted following Trump's announcement.
Israel had previously directed its military to target Hezbollah sites in the southern outskirts of Beirut's Dahieh neighborhood. Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant explained that this directive was due to Hezbollah's repeated violations of ceasefire conditions and attacks on Israeli cities and civilians. Dahieh is considered a key stronghold for Hezbollah.
Following Israel's directive, concerns grew over the potential escalation of airstrikes in Beirut. Tensions remained high along the Lebanon front, with both sides continuing to exchange attacks despite the existing ceasefire.
Trump later stated on Truth Social that he had a "very productive call" with Netanyahu, asserting that "there will be no troops heading to Beirut, and those already en route have turned back." He mentioned that he had also contacted Hezbollah through senior representatives, claiming, "All fire will cease." He concluded, "Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."
The Lebanese Embassy in Washington confirmed that Hezbollah agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal, which reportedly involves Israel halting its attacks on southern Beirut while Hezbollah would cease its attacks on Israel.
However, Netanyahu's office issued a statement that appeared to differ from Trump's announcement. While Trump emphasized mutual cessation of attacks, Netanyahu maintained that Israel would strike Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop its assaults. He reiterated that operations in southern Lebanon would continue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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