Iran war day 95: Trump pushes Lebanon truce after Tehran vows to end talks

United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to halt hostilities in a major de-escalation effort after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday.

Netanyahu’s office on Monday said attacks on Beirut would proceed if Hezbollah continued attacks on Israeli cities, while military operations in southern Lebanon would continue as “planned”.

The situation was further complicated by warnings from Iran. Tehran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Iran could halt negotiations with the US if Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon continues.

In Israel

• Ben-Gvir urges defiance of US pressure: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised Trump’s push to halt planned attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, arguing Israel should continue military operations against Hezbollah and calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to reject US pressure when necessary.

• Netanyahu seeks gains before potential ceasefire: Security analyst Andreas Krieg said Israel faces growing pressure. While Israel has achieved some tactical successes, he argues it has yet to secure significant strategic gains, leaving Netanyahu eager to demonstrate progress before any US-backed halt to military operations.

In Lebanon

• Israel bombs southern Lebanon: Israeli air attacks were reported on southern Lebanon overnight and into the early morning, with two injured people pulled from the rubble after an attack in Tyre.
• Hezbollah cites ceasefire violations: The group said it carried out 41 operations on Monday, including rocket and drone attacks on Israeli troop concentrations, military sites and air defence systems. It also reported ambushes and clashes with Israeli forces advancing in southern Lebanon, saying the attacks were in response to continued assaults on civilians and breaches of the ceasefire agreement.