Netanyahu warns of Beirut strikes if Hezbollah attacks continue, defying Trump mediation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told Donald Trump that Israel would strike the Lebanese capital Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop attacking Israeli cities and civilians.

In a statement issued through his office Sunday local time, Netanyahu said he told Trump that Sunday evening that "if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks on our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut."

He added that Israel's position on the matter "remains unchanged" and that the Israel Defense Forces would continue planned operations in southern Lebanon on schedule.

Earlier that day, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he had held separate productive calls with Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives.

Trump said Israel would not attack Hezbollah and Hezbollah would not attack Israel, and claimed a mutual cessation of hostilities between the two sides was at hand.

Trump's mediation effort came amid reports that Iran had declared Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon a violation of the truce agreement and had suspended exchanges with Washington related to end-of-war negotiations.

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said Hezbollah had agreed to accept Washington's proposal for a mutual halt to attacks.

Israel's military offensive in Lebanon has emerged as a major variable in the U.S.-Iran end-of-war negotiations, which had appeared to be nearing their final stages.

Israeli forces deployed in southern Lebanon have rapidly pushed beyond previously established control zones, expanding the front lines and resuming airstrikes on Beirut that had been suspended during the truce.

Iran responded by holding the United States responsible for Israel's truce violations, warning of a suspension of end-of-war negotiations, direct retaliation against Israel, and disruption of shipping through not only the Strait of Hormuz but also the Bab el-Mandeb strait at the entrance to the Red Sea.