US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Axios on Wednesday that he has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should only take “surgical” military action in Lebanon and avoid a full resumption of the war.
In telephoned statements to Axios Trump said: “I told Netanyahu that he must carry out the order more carefully, not destroy the buildings.” He can’t do that. It is absolutely horrific and harms Israel’s image.”
The US President stressed his “admiration for Lebanon and its leadership, and his belief in the country’s ability to rise again,” and continued: “Iran destroyed Lebanon.” Its agent, Hezbollah, destroyed Lebanon.
The Israeli army continues its occupation of southern Lebanon and the destruction of homes it claims are used by Hezbollah, which, in turn, continues to launch rocket and drone attacks on Israeli forces inside Lebanon and in villages across the border.
An American official told Axios: “Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire and is trying to sabotage it. Its strategy is clear: provoke and attack, then blame Israel for derailing negotiations and discrediting the Lebanese government.”
The official added: “We cannot expect Israel to bear the brunt of the attacks alone. This is not the Biden administration.”
However, the official said the Trump administration has asked Israel to “exercise restraint” and allow space for the new diplomatic process with Lebanon.
Despite US mediation in the ceasefire in Lebanon, the agreement has not been fully implemented, and officials in both Israel and Lebanon fear its complete collapse before its expiration in mid-May.
Lebanon president condemns 'continuing Israeli violations' of truce
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday decried what he described as Israel’s continued violations of the ceasefire, calling for international pressure on Israel to stop strikes on civilians and paramedics.
Aoun slammed the “continuing Israeli violations” in south Lebanon, saying they were occurring “despite the ceasefire, as do demolitions of homes and places of worship, while the number of killed and wounded rises day after day.”
“Pressure must be exerted on Israel to ensure it respects international laws and conventions and ceases targeting civilians, paramedics, civil defense, and humanitarian health and relief organizations,” he added in a statement, as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah nears the two-week mark.
The Israeli military warned residents of eight Lebanese towns outside of the “buffer zone” to leave their homes immediately on Thursday ahead of strikes.
The “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon was occupied by Israeli troops before a ceasefire that was announced earlier this month but has failed to fully halt hostilities
