Israeli forces have launched fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon, intensifying regional tensions despite renewed calls from US President Donald Trump for greater restraint from Israel.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, Israeli warplanes targeted areas around Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit on Wednesday. The Israeli military had not immediately commented on the strikes, although it has repeatedly stated that its operations in Lebanon are aimed at weakening the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
The latest attacks come as diplomatic efforts continue following a recently announced agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending months of conflict. While the full text of the deal has not been released publicly, Pakistan, which helped mediate negotiations, has indicated that provisions relating to Lebanon are included in the framework.
Speaking during the G7 summit in France, Trump publicly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exercise greater caution regarding military operations in Lebanon. Trump said Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah had continued for too long and had resulted in significant loss of life.
The US president also expressed dissatisfaction with a recent Israeli strike, suggesting it exceeded what he considered necessary. While emphasizing his strong relationship with Netanyahu, Trump said he believed Israel needed to show more responsibility in its actions.
Despite the announcement of the US-Iran agreement on Sunday, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have continued. Earlier in the week, an Israeli strike on Beirut was carried out in response to a cross-border rocket attack attributed to Hezbollah, raising concerns that renewed violence could undermine efforts to secure a lasting regional settlement.
Netanyahu has maintained that Israeli troops will remain active in Lebanon for as long as required to address security threats. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any further Israeli military operations in Lebanon, or the continued presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory, could be viewed as a breach of the interim understanding reached between Tehran and Washington.
Reports indicate that the agreement, described as a memorandum of understanding, could be formally signed in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock later this week. Trump has said he may personally present the details of the agreement during a public news conference.
The US president also claimed the deal would permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ensure the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and gas exports.
Trump contrasted the new arrangement with the 2015 nuclear accord negotiated during the administration of former President Barack Obama. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief and access to previously frozen assets.
As negotiations continue and military activity persists across the region, uncertainty remains over whether the proposed agreement can deliver long-term stability to Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
