Israel has issued directives to its military to limit actions in Lebanon, according to officials, though underlying tensions persist. The move comes amid ongoing cross-border hostilities and follows a social media post by President Donald Trump expressing frustration with Iran over Lebanon on Sunday.
Military Restrictions Announced
Senior Israeli defense officials confirmed that the military has been instructed to reduce the scope of operations in southern Lebanon. The directive aims to de-escalate the situation along the border, where exchanges of fire have occurred in recent weeks. However, officials emphasized that the military retains the right to respond to any threats.
Trump's Criticism of Iran
President Trump took to social media on Sunday to voice his displeasure with Iran's involvement in Lebanon. "Iran continues to destabilize the region, and the United States will not stand for it," he wrote. The post has drawn attention as the Biden administration navigates its policy toward both Iran and its proxies in Lebanon.
Continued Tensions
Despite the military restrictions, tensions remain high. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, has maintained a strong presence along the border. Israeli officials have stated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared for any escalation.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has called for restraint from all parties. In a statement, UNIFIL urged both sides to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
International Reactions
The United States has expressed support for Israel's right to self-defense but has also called for calm. A State Department spokesperson said, "We encourage all parties to avoid further escalation and to work toward a diplomatic solution."
Meanwhile, Iran has dismissed Trump's comments as interference. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, "Iran's support for Lebanon is based on mutual respect and sovereignty. We reject any outside attempts to dictate terms."
The situation remains fluid, with both sides signaling a willingness to avoid a full-scale conflict but also prepared for further confrontations.
