Netanyahu to Trump: "Beirut Will Be Attacked If Hezbollah Strikes"

Continued Clashes Between Israel and Hezbollah

Iran Objects, Halts Negotiations as Trump Steps In to Mediate

Netanyahu: "IDF Will Continue Operations in Southern Lebanon"

As U.S. President Donald Trump steps in as a mediator between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will attack Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, if Hezbollah does not stop its assaults.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference in Jerusalem on March 19 (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On June 1 (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "During a phone call with President Trump this evening, I made it clear that if Hezbollah does not cease its attacks on our cities and civilians, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut. This position remains unchanged." He added, "At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue operations in southern Lebanon as planned."

It appears that, under pressure from the United States, Israel intends to avoid a full-scale airstrike on Beirut for now, while maintaining its campaign to eliminate Hezbollah. The New York Times analyzed these remarks as suggesting the possibility of a limited ceasefire, in which Hezbollah would halt its attacks on Israeli territory and, in return, Israel would refrain from attacking Beirut.

Earlier that evening, President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce his mediation efforts, saying, "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not enter Beirut, and Israel and Hezbollah will both exercise restraint in their attacks."

The backdrop for President Trump's swift intervention is believed to be ongoing peace negotiations with Iran. Iranian media have previously reported that Iran has defined any Israeli attack on Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and has suspended message exchanges with the United States regarding a peace deal.

Following President Trump's social media message, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon also announced that Hezbollah had accepted the U.S. proposal for mutual cessation of attacks. According to the proposal, Israel would halt its airstrikes on southern Beirut, and Hezbollah would cease attacks on Israel.

The Israeli military's large-scale offensive in Lebanon has emerged as a major variable in the peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, which had appeared to be in their final stages. In recent developments, Israeli forces deployed in southern Lebanon have rapidly expanded the front lines beyond previously established "control zones" and have resumed airstrikes on the capital, Beirut, which had been halted during the ceasefire.

Recently, Israel has penetrated southern Lebanon to a greater depth than at any time in the past 26 years, and U.S. broadcaster NBC reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu has also ordered airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut.

Meanwhile, according to Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel, there are conflicting views within the Israeli military ahead of a potential ceasefire. Some argue that as many military objectives as possible should be achieved before a ceasefire, while others warn that Hezbollah could escalate its offensive under the same calculation, increasing the risk.

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