Israel Strikes Lebanon Again Despite President Trump’s Public Criticism/ Getty Images
Israeli forces have reportedly conducted fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon, as state media sources indicate, despite renewed admonitions from US President Donald Trump regarding Israel’s military actions in the region.
On Wednesday, Israeli jets targeted the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area and the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
While the Israeli military has yet to issue a statement, it has previously indicated that its operations focus on the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Details of a potential agreement between the US and Iran aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict have not been disclosed, though mediator Pakistan has suggested that Lebanon is included in the discussions.
During remarks made at the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, President Trump emphasized that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, must exercise greater caution regarding Lebanon.
He expressed concern over the prolonged conflict with Hezbollah, stating that “too many lives are being lost.”
Since the announcement of the US-Iran agreement on Sunday night, both Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in mutual attacks.
Earlier on the same day, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut was launched in response to cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah, complicating efforts to finalize the deal.
President Trump acknowledged his strong rapport with Netanyahu but criticized the recent military action, saying it was excessive.
He asserted, “Without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did.”
On Monday, Netanyahu affirmed that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon for as long as deemed necessary.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that any Israeli aggression or continued military presence in Lebanese territory would be viewed as a breach of the interim agreement with the US.
The specifics of this memorandum of understanding have not been made public.
Both parties are expected to sign the agreement on Friday at a Swiss resort in Bürgenstock, according to Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry.
President Trump indicated that he might hold a news conference to read the agreement between the US and Iran “word by word.”
He also claimed that the deal would ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons and that the crucial Strait of Hormuz would reopen without tolls.
The President argued that this new arrangement would be superior to the one negotiated by Barack Obama during his presidency.
”We didn’t pay for it like Obama did. He paid billions of dollars,” he stated on Tuesday.
Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the US and five other world powers, Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear activities and permit international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong