Israel Strikes Lebanon Amid Trump’s Criticism

Wed Jun 17 2026 13:59:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Israeli jets hit southern Lebanon after US President Donald Trump warned Netanyahu over continued strikes, heightening regional tension.

Israeli forces launched new air attacks on Lebanon’s Nabatieh al‑Fawqa area and nearby Kfar Tebnit, striking a zone Hezbollah battles it over while the US president publicly criticized the moves. Trump warned that Israel must show more responsibility towards Lebanon, arguing its long‑running conflict with Hezbollah claims too many lives. A looming US‑Iran agreement, yet to be released, reportedly includes Lebanon and threatens Israeli involvement as a violation. Netanyahu counters by stating forces will stay as long as needed, while Iranian officials caution that Israeli incursions could breach the interim deal. The developments unfold amid broader geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.

Israel Strikes Lebanon Amid Trump’s Criticism

Israeli forces carried out fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, hitting the Nabatieh al‑Fawqa area and the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit, according to the state‑run National News Agency. The Israeli military has not yet commented, but it has repeatedly said it is targeting the Iran‑backed group Hezbollah.

This action comes amid renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump, who told the G7 summit in France that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not being sufficiently responsible toward Lebanon. Trump also noted Israel’s prolonged engagement with Hezbollah and the many casualties it has caused.

Both Israel and Hezbollah have launched strikes against each other in the days following the announcement of a US‑Iran truce. An Israeli air strike on Beirut earlier that week—after a Hezbollah rocket attacked the city—further escalated tensions and put pressure on finalising the interim agreement.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a continued Israeli presence in Lebanon would breach the memorandum of understanding that the US and Iran are negotiating. The agreement, still classified, purportedly covers activities in Lebanon, although its exact contents are undisclosed.

Netanyahu maintained that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon “for as long as necessary,” a statement that extended beyond the brief exchange with Trump. Meanwhile, Trump hinted at a future public reading of the US‑Iran deal, stressing that the agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and restore toll‑free access to the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalating situation underscores the fragile balance between regional power dynamics, international diplomatic efforts, and the ongoing Israeli‑Hezbollah conflict within the backdrop of the US‑Iran negotiations.