Trump tells Netanyahu to keep Lebanon strikes surgical
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- Trump told Netanyahu in a phone interview that Israel must conduct only “surgical” strikes in Lebanon, avoiding broader attacks that could damage Israel’s image.
- Ceasefire brokered by Trump in Lebanon is only partially observed and officials fear it could collapse before its mid‑May expiration.
- Israel continues to occupy southern Lebanon, flattening houses it says are used by Hezbollah, while Hezbollah persists with rocket and drone attacks, prompting Israeli calls for a stronger response.
- U.S. officials say Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire and is trying to derail it, urging Israel to show restraint and promising a rapid political campaign to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.
- Lebanon faces U.S. pressure to isolate Hezbollah while domestic leaders worry that Israeli presence in the south could restore Hezbollah’s legitimacy, complicating any peace talks.
- Trump plans a trilateral summit with Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, but Aoun is unlikely to attend without tangible progress on the ceasefire and peace negotiations.
Why it matters: The U.S. push for limited Israeli strikes aims to preserve the fragile Lebanon ceasefire, protecting American diplomatic leverage with Iran and Lebanon, while Israeli officials risk losing credibility if constrained, and Hezbollah’s ability to claim resistance is curtailed, reshaping the balance of power on the border.
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