Trump Warns Against Escalation as Israel Continues Operations in Lebanon

Israel launched fresh airstrikes and artillery attacks in southern Lebanon on Wednesday despite renewed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the fragility of efforts to secure a broader ceasefire in the Middle East.

Lebanese state media reported multiple Israeli strikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon, while security sources said the attacks were directed at positions linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The latest violence came despite diplomatic efforts aimed at extending a ceasefire tied to the recently announced U.S.-Iran agreement.

The strikes followed unusually public criticism from Trump, who suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should adopt a “softer touch” in Lebanon. Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Trump argued that excessive military force was causing unnecessary civilian suffering and risking broader regional stability.

“Too many people have been killed,” Trump said, criticizing the destruction of residential buildings during operations against Hezbollah militants. His remarks marked one of the strongest public rebukes of Israeli military tactics by the U.S. president in recent months.

Despite the criticism, Israel has maintained that it reserves the right to continue military operations against Hezbollah, which it accuses of repeatedly violating ceasefire understandings through rocket, drone, and missile attacks on Israeli territory and military positions. Israeli officials have insisted that eliminating Hezbollah’s military infrastructure remains a national security priority.

The renewed fighting threatens a wider diplomatic initiative announced earlier this week between Washington and Tehran. The agreement, which extends a temporary ceasefire and lays the groundwork for broader negotiations, includes provisions aimed at reducing hostilities across the region, including Lebanon. However, Israel was not a direct participant in the talks and has indicated that it does not consider itself bound by all aspects of the arrangement.

Hezbollah has also continued military activity in southern Lebanon. Security sources reported drone attacks targeting Israeli forces on Wednesday, underscoring the challenges facing mediators seeking to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.

The war between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified earlier this year, has caused widespread destruction across Lebanon. According to humanitarian agencies and Lebanese authorities, thousands of people have been killed, tens of thousands injured, and more than a million displaced from their homes. Entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut have suffered extensive damage.

Diplomatic efforts are expected to continue in the coming days, but the latest strikes have raised fresh concerns that the fragile ceasefire framework could unravel before a permanent settlement is reached.