Trump Says Israel and Hezbollah Agree to Scale Back Fighting

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to reduce hostilities following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communications with the Lebanese militant group through mediators.

In a social media post, Trump announced that no Israeli troops would enter Beirut and that forces heading toward the Lebanese capital had already been turned back. He also said Hezbollah had agreed to stop all attacks, while Israel would refrain from striking the group.

However, moments after Trump's announcement, Israel reported missile launches from Lebanon and instructed residents in parts of northern Israel to seek shelter, highlighting the fragility of the reported understanding.

Israel Orders Strikes on Beirut Suburbs

Trump’s remarks came after Israel ordered strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and as Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel, including areas near the coastal city of Haifa.

In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were a response to what they described as repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire and attacks on Israeli civilians.

The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson later warned residents to evacuate the southern suburbs of Beirut, stating that further Hezbollah attacks could trigger additional Israeli strikes on the Dahiyeh district, a stronghold of Hezbollah support.

Ceasefire Faces Renewed Challenges

Hezbollah had previously agreed to halt attacks under a ceasefire reached in mid-April. However, the group resumed operations following Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which Israel said were carried out in self-defense.

The continued fighting also threatens broader diplomatic efforts linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, with Tehran reportedly seeking to ensure that any future agreement addresses the situation in Lebanon as well.