Trump Intervenes as Hezbollah Accepts US Proposal to Halt Attacks on Israel
The Lebanese government has stated that the Hezbollah group has accepted a United States proposal to halt attacks against Israel. In return, Israel has also been asked to refrain from attacking Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
The Lebanese Embassy in the United States confirmed they had “received confirmation regarding Hezbollah’s acceptance of the US proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks”.
The statement was reinforced by the Lebanese presidential office, which released details of the agreement on Monday evening. “Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut will be halted in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from attacks against Israel,” the presidential office stated, adding that this ceasefire would be extended across all Lebanese territory.
US President Donald Trump stated that he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives. Through social media platform Truth Social, Trump affirmed that negotiations were progressing rapidly.
“I made a very productive phone call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, from Israel, and there will be no troops going into Beirut, and any troops that were in transit have been turned around,” Trump wrote. “Likewise, through a high-level Representative, I made a very good phone call with Hezbollah, and they have agreed that all firing will stop – that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.”
Despite confirming the agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning. Attacks on Beirut would continue “if Hezbollah does not cease attacks on our cities and civilians.” Netanyahu also affirmed that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) would continue operating in southern Lebanon as planned.
This diplomatic step was taken following Iran’s warning that Israeli military action in Lebanon threatened the ceasefire between the United States and Iran that has been in effect since 8 April. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that the ceasefire covers all fronts, including Lebanon. Iran had even threatened to suspend indirect negotiations with the United States and activate other battlefronts, such as the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The three-month-long conflict has significantly impacted the economy, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, which accounts for one-fifth of global oil supply. Following tensions the previous weekend, Brent crude oil prices briefly surged to nearly US$97.44 per barrel before falling slightly to US$95.70.
To date, President Trump has continued to indicate that Washington and Tehran are close to a permanent agreement, although no formal accord has yet been officially signed.