Trump Claims Key Role in Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Extension
US President Donald Trump has claimed he was the figure behind the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Trump stated he telephoned Israeli authorities and asked them to halt the escalation of the conflict that had reignited in Lebanon.
Trump said he called Israeli authorities on Friday (19/6) morning, several hours before the ceasefire extension was announced. “It’s a positive thing,” Trump said in an interview. “It’s like a sweet addition,” he added.
Trump also revealed the message he conveyed to Israel to agree to the ceasefire with Hezbollah. “Sometimes you just need to calm down and use common sense,” Trump said in his message to Israel.
Trump stated he is “always good” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, he declined to say whether he spoke directly with Netanyahu.
A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Anadolu Agency and Reuters, confirmed the ceasefire extension between Israel and Hezbollah. The official said the extension took effect on Friday (19/6) at 4:00 p.m. local time, but did not elaborate on the details of the agreement underpinning the extension. The deal was reached after fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed in recent days.
Despite the ceasefire extension, a series of Israeli attacks were reported to be ongoing in several areas of Lebanon. At least 47 people were killed and several others injured in Israeli air strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon since Friday (19/6) morning. The situation marks the deadliest escalation since the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The MoU was signed electronically and remotely by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday (17/6) evening.
According to official data, the series of Israeli military strikes in Lebanon since 2 March has killed at least 3,912 people, injured 11,873 others, and displaced more than one million residents from their homes. Israel also continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon. Some areas have been occupied for decades, while others have been occupied since the latest conflict erupted. In the most recent military operation, Israeli forces reportedly advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.