Israel Strikes Lebanon as Trump Criticises Military Action

Wed Jun 17 2026 22:20:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Israel carries out new drone and jet attacks on southern Lebanon while U.S. President Donald Trump condemns the raids.

Israel has launched additional strikes on southern Lebanon, hitting villages and military sites, even as President Trump publicly denounced the actions. The attacks come at the same time a fragile ceasefire is being negotiated under a U.S‑Iran agreement that includes Lebanon. Hezbollah has fired back, and both sides have sustained casualties. The flare‑up highlights the broader Israel–Iran–U.S. tensions and the precarious security environment in Lebanon.

Israel Rolls Out Fresh Strikes on Lebanon Amid Trump’s Fury

Israeli forces carried out a barrage of drone and jet attacks over the past day, striking villages such as Mansouri and Aaziyyeh and targeting military installations in Nabatieh al‑Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit. The strikes resulted in several injuries on the Lebanese side, according to state‑run media.

Despite this escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump – who has publicly decried the Israeli operation at the G7 summit – voiced disapproval, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take “more responsibility with respect to Lebanon.” Trump noted that the conflict had “been fought for too long” and that many lives were being lost.

Context: A Fragile Ceasefire in the Shadow of a US‑Iran Accord

The turmoil follows the signing of the U.S‑Iran memorandum of understanding, which, among other clauses, references the status of Lebanon. While the deal intends to revive the Strait of Hormuz and curb Iranian weapons programs, its impact on the Israel‑Lebanon frontline is still being negotiated.

Hezbollah has responded to the Israeli airstrikes with rocket fire into Israeli territory, reigniting the cycle of cross‑border attacks that began after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in early March. Both sides have reported casualties: the Lebanese ministry cites more than 3,800 deaths in the region, while Israeli figures note 24 soldiers wounded and four civilians injured.

Key Reactions and Future Outlook

The Israeli government maintains that its presence in Lebanon is “necessary for as long as required” and pledges continued operation until the conflict is resolved. Hezbollah’s spokesperson has lauded the U.S‑Iran pact as a “great victory” for Lebanon and urges the nation to use the truce to regain sovereignty. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for a ceasefire, stating that their negotiations with Israel aim for an independent path that includes U.S. and Iranian support.

With the ceasefire still in its infancy, the region watches closely as Israel’s strikes and the broader U.S‑Iran dynamics shape the trajectory of Middle‑East peace.