Continued Israeli Operations in Southern Lebanon
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have conducted further strikes in southern Lebanon. These actions follow renewed criticism from former US President Donald Trump concerning Israel's military engagements in the country. On Wednesday, Israeli jets reportedly targeted the Nabatieh al-Fawqa area and the outskirts of nearby Kfar Tebnit, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). While the Israeli military has not yet issued a statement on these specific incidents, it has previously stated that its operations are aimed at the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
International Reactions and the US-Iran Agreement
The recent strikes occur as an agreement between the US and Iran, intended to de-escalate regional conflicts, including those involving Lebanon, is being finalized. Although the full text of the deal has not been released, mediator Pakistan has confirmed Lebanon's inclusion. Earlier, on Tuesday, Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise "more responsibility with respect to Lebanon." Speaking at the G7 summit in France, he expressed that Israel's prolonged conflict with Hezbollah had resulted in "too many people being killed."
Both Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in retaliatory actions since the US-Iran agreement was announced on Sunday night. Prior to this, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, in response to a cross-border rocket attack by Hezbollah, had complicated efforts to finalize the deal.
Trump's Stance on Israeli Actions and US-Israel Relations
Trump conveyed at the G7 summit that despite his "great relationship" with Netanyahu, he disapproved of the recent Israeli attack, deeming it "too much." He further 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."
Netanyahu, on Monday, affirmed that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in Lebanon "for as long as necessary." Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that any Israeli attack on Lebanon or continued military presence in Lebanese territory would be considered a breach of the interim agreement with the US.
Details of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding
The contents of the agreement, referred to as a memorandum of understanding, have not been officially disclosed. Both parties were reportedly expected to sign the deal on Friday in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as confirmed by Switzerland's Foreign Ministry to the Schweiz Heute newspaper. Trump indicated his intention to hold a news conference to publicly read the agreement "word by word." He also stated that the deal would ensure Iran would "never have a nuclear weapon" and that the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway in the Gulf would reopen and be "toll-free."
Trump has contrasted this deal with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated by former President Barack Obama, claiming his administration did not "pay for it like Obama did. He paid billions of dollars." Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds.
Source: Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon despite Trump criticism