U.S. President Donald Trump. AFP
“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Enough is enough!!!”
“The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers — No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” he wrote, adding that “this deal is in no way subject to Lebanon.”
He said Washington would “separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezbollah situation in an appropriate manner,” suggesting distinct diplomatic tracks for the conflicts involving Iran and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel accepted a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon at the request of US President Donald Trump.
In a video statement from Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: “we are giving an opportunity to advance a combined diplomatic and military solution with the Lebanese government.”
The ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese government, brokered by the US after talks between the two sides in Washington, took effect earlier on Friday.
It follows six weeks of massive Israeli bombing of Beirut, south and east Lebanon, which left thousands killed and wounded, 40,000 residential units damaged or destroyed, and 1.2million displaced.
The Israeli PM described the truce with Lebanon as the beginning of “a long road to peace,” adding: “One hand holds a weapon; the other is extended for peace.”
On Thursday, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing sources, reported that Trump forced Israel into a ceasefire in Lebanon. It adds that Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a request by security cabinet members to vote on the truce.
Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon. “We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” he said in a video message.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the group “was informed today by the Iranian ambassador in Beirut that Iranian efforts have resulted in imposing a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon,” adding that “the American side has pledged to inform the Israeli prime minister of this decision, as well as the Lebanese president.”
He stressed that Hezbollah’s commitment to a ceasefire is “tied to the extent of the enemy’s adherence to stopping all forms of combat operations."
Hezbollah said in a statement that any truce must apply "across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.”
The Lebanese group said that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold.”
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