US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group had agreed to halt hostilities, expressing hope that the arrangement would lead to a lasting cessation of violence. The announcement came amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Israel, and regional armed groups.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had held a productive conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and had also communicated with Hezbollah through what he described as highly placed representatives. According to Trump, Netanyahu agreed to halt a planned military operation in Beirut, while Hezbollah committed to ending attacks against Israel.
Trump stated that Israeli troops heading toward Beirut had been turned back and suggested that both sides had agreed to stop firing at one another. He later reiterated his optimism about the arrangement, writing that he hoped the halt in hostilities would last “for eternity.” The remarks came after reports of rising tensions linked to Israel's military operations in Lebanon and their impact on wider regional diplomacy.
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However, Netanyahu appeared to cast doubt on the existence of a firm ceasefire. In a statement released by his office, the Israeli prime minister said he had informed Trump that Israel would continue to strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop attacking Israeli towns and civilians. The statement suggested that Israel's military posture remained contingent on developments on the ground.
The differing public statements highlighted potential strains between Washington and Jerusalem. A report by US news outlet Axios also suggested tensions between the two leaders, alleging that Trump had criticised Netanyahu's approach and expressed concern that military actions could undermine efforts to reach a broader understanding with Iran. Neither side immediately provided additional details regarding the reported disagreement.
Meanwhile, Trump said discussions with Iran were continuing at a rapid pace despite reports from Iran's Tasnim news agency that Tehran had suspended dialogue with mediators in protest against Israel's expanding offensive in Lebanon. While Trump gave mixed signals about the future of negotiations, at times describing them as unproductive, he maintained that diplomatic contacts remained active as efforts to ease regional tensions continued.
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