Israel Seeks Clarification After Trump's Surprising Lebanon Strike Ban

Israeli officials have requested urgent clarification from the White House following a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump declaring that Israel is prohibited from conducting airstrikes on Lebanon. The statement reportedly left Israeli leadership stunned.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisors were said to be shocked by the declaration, as it appeared to contradict the text of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon published by the U.S. State Department just a day earlier. According to sources familiar with the situation, Netanyahu learned of Trump's comments from media reports and was personally taken aback and alarmed by them.

The Israeli government views Trump's words as being at odds with the terms of the newly announced truce. That agreement, announced by Trump himself on Thursday, established a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, following days of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts.

The published ceasefire text reportedly stipulated that Israel retains the right to military action for self-defense against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks, even during the truce period. In return, Israel committed to refraining from offensive military operations against targets in Lebanon.

However, Trump's subsequent statement on Friday employed far more definitive language. He asserted that Israel "will no longer bomb Lebanon" and that "the United States has prohibited it," adding a firm "enough means enough." This stark declaration prompted the immediate request for official explanation from Jerusalem.