Israel continued its military strikes on Lebanon on Tuesday despite criticism from US President Donald Trump. The attacks came only hours after Trump accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of harming the recently announced agreement with Iran through ongoing military action.
Israeli drones targeted two vehicles in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), the strikes killed at least four people and injured several others.
The latest attacks added to Lebanon's growing death toll. Since Trump announced the agreement with Iran, Israeli strikes have killed at least five people in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,826 people across the country since March. Officials believe the number could rise because rescue workers are still searching for bodies buried under rubble.
Trump Voices Frustration with Netanyahu
Trump criticized Israel's actions while attending the G7 Summit in France. He said the continued attacks were casting a "negative light" on the agreement with Iran. He also expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's handling of the situation in Lebanon.
“Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are being killed. And you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody. Because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses. And they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” Trump further said.
His remarks marked one of his strongest public criticisms of Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.
Iran Connects Agreement to Peace in Lebanon
Iran also linked the US-Iran agreement to developments in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said any future Israeli attack on Lebanon would violate the understanding reached with Washington. He stressed that peace in the region would remain incomplete unless Israeli forces withdrew from territories captured during the conflict.
“Any military attack by the Zionist regime on Lebanon from now on, and the continued occupation of Lebanese territories from now on, will be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding in our view,” Araghchi further said. He also stated that lasting peace would be impossible “without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories it occupied in this war”.
Israel Maintains Its Position
Despite pressure from Trump and the international community, Netanyahu has shown no sign of changing course. He has said Israel will continue military operations in Lebanon for as long as necessary. He has also indicated that Israeli forces will remain in occupied areas indefinitely.
Lebanese authorities say the conflict has displaced more than 600,000 people from southern Lebanon. Many residents remain unable to return home.
Israeli Defence Minister Outlines Security Plan
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz previously explained Israel's position on southern Lebanon. In March, he said, “The return of more than 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated northward will be completely prohibited south of the Litani until the safety and security of northern residents are ensured. All houses in villages near the border in Lebanon will be destroyed according to the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza to remove once and for all the threats near the border to northern residents.”
Katz also said Israeli forces would continue occupying territory up to the Litani River, around 20 to 30 kilometres from the Israel-Lebanon border.
Tensions Remain High
The latest strikes highlight the fragile situation in the region. The United States and Iran have attempted to reduce tensions through diplomatic efforts. However, continued fighting in Lebanon threatens those efforts.
Israel continues its military campaign. Iran warns against further attacks. Trump openly criticizes Netanyahu's approach. As a result, uncertainty remains over whether wider peace efforts in the region can succeed.