Israel has requested clarification from the White House after U.S. President Donald Trump said the country was “prohibited” from carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon—remarks that appeared to contradict the terms of a recently announced ceasefire.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers were taken aback by Trump’s statement, which suggested the U.S. was imposing restrictions on Israeli military actions.
Trump had announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, brokered with U.S. involvement. Under the terms of the agreement, Israel committed to halting offensive operations against Lebanese targets but retained the right to act in self-defense against imminent or ongoing threats.
However, in a social media post Friday, Trump used stronger language, stating that Israel would no longer conduct strikes in Lebanon and was “prohibited” from doing so by the United States. He later reiterated that position in an interview, saying Israel “has to stop” and that he would not allow continued attacks.
Israeli officials said they learned of Trump’s comments through media reports and quickly sought clarification, emphasizing that the statement conflicted with the agreed terms. Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and other aides contacted U.S. officials to determine whether Washington had changed its stance.
A U.S. official later clarified that the ceasefire still allows Israel to respond to threats, noting that the agreement prohibits offensive operations but preserves the right to self-defense.
Tensions remain high on the ground. Shortly before Trump’s interview, an Israeli drone carried out a strike in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials said the action was taken after Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by targeting Israeli forces.
“Our forces acted in self-defense to remove the threat in accordance with the agreement,” an Israeli source said.
The episode highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and the sensitivity surrounding its interpretation as diplomatic efforts continue.
