Netanyahu Orders Further Attacks on Lebanon... Requests U.S. Approval for Beirut Strike

Israeli Forces Seize Most of Southern Lebanon
"Netanyahu Requests U.S. Approval for Beirut Attack"

Reuters Yonhap News

As Israel announced plans to further expand its ground operations in Lebanon, concerns are mounting that this could negatively impact negotiations between the United States and Iran. Reports have also emerged that the Israeli government has requested approval from the United States to carry out an attack on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, raising expectations of a backlash from Iran.

According to the Times of Israel (TOI) on May 31 (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that day, saying, "I have ordered the military to expand ground operations in Lebanon," and added, "Our goal is to deepen and extend our control over areas that were under Hezbollah's authority."

It has also been reported that Israel is seeking U.S. approval for an attack on Beirut, the Lebanese capital. Quoting high-ranking Israeli officials, Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported, "Prime Minister Netanyahu tried to persuade U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call the previous day to secure U.S. approval for an attack on Beirut," adding, "While the U.S. side is showing a more open attitude than before, final approval has not yet been granted." Previously, it was reported that President Donald Trump, citing ongoing negotiations with Iran, urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Lebanon and prohibited an attack on Beirut during their phone conversation.

The Israeli military, having completely taken control of southern Lebanon, is now advancing into the central region. According to CNN, the Israeli military has seized the Beaufort Castle—a strategic stronghold in southern Lebanon with a 900-year history and a UNESCO World Heritage site—as well as the surrounding areas. This marks the first time the Israeli military has occupied this region in 26 years, since withdrawing from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon are raising concerns about adverse effects on negotiations between the United States and Iran. Previously, Iran set a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the armed faction in Lebanon, as one of the conditions in its memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a peace agreement with the U.S.

European countries have condemned Israel, arguing that its actions undermine stability in the Middle East. The governments of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have each issued statements denouncing Israel’s offensive against Lebanon. Additionally, the French Foreign Ministry announced that, due to the rapid escalation of violence in Lebanon, it requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be convened on June 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.