Trump Urges Netanyahu to Limit Lebanon Strikes Amid Ceasefire Concerns

President Donald Trump advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit military action in Lebanon to 'surgical' strikes, avoiding a full resumption of war, according to a phone interview with Axios.

Why it matters: The ceasefire Trump helped broker in Lebanon is only partially observed, raising concerns it may collapse entirely before its mid-May expiration. Additionally, no progress has been made in initiating Israel-Lebanon peace talks, despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosting two meetings with the respective ambassadors.

The Trump administration insists the Lebanon ceasefire is unrelated to the Iran ceasefire, but a resumption of war in Lebanon would complicate diplomacy with Tehran.

Key Developments

• The Israeli military continues to occupy southern Lebanon, destroying homes it claims were used by Hezbollah.
• Hezbollah has intensified rocket and drone attacks on Israeli forces and border villages.
• Israel has expanded airstrikes in response, but officials face pressure to escalate further.
• Israeli officials report growing frustration with constraints imposed by the Trump administration.

Trump has spoken to Netanyahu daily this week. During their conversations, Netanyahu indicated Israel would need to increase its response to Hezbollah’s attacks, according to Israeli officials.

Statements from Trump

"I told Netanyahu he has got to do it more surgically. Not knock down buildings. He can't do it. It is too terrible and makes Israel look bad," Trump told Axios.

"I like Lebanon. I like its leadership. I think Lebanon can make a comeback. Iran ruined Lebanon. Their proxy [Hezbollah] ruined Lebanon. When Iran gets taken out, Hezbollah automatically gets taken out," Trump claimed.

U.S. and Lebanese Perspectives

Trump administration officials deny the U.S.-brokered ceasefire is collapsing. A U.S. official stated:

"Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire and is trying to derail it. Hezbollah's strategy is clear: provoke, attack, and then blame Israel in order to kill the negotiations and make the Lebanese government look bad. We cannot feasibly expect Israel to just take the hits. This is not the Biden Administration."

The official added that the Trump administration has asked Israel to "show restraint" and allow space for the new diplomatic process with Lebanon.

"We are going to massively increase our political campaign on Hezbollah and are looking for ways to get the Lebanese Armed Forces to overcome their challenges and intend to do this on a very rapid schedule," the U.S. official said.

On the other side, Lebanese leadership faces pressure from the U.S. to isolate and weaken Hezbollah, while also dealing with domestic backlash over Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, destruction of villages, and ongoing airstrikes. Hezbollah’s recent attacks aim, in part, to undermine the government’s decision to negotiate directly with Israel.

A senior Lebanese official told Axios that Beirut is concerned the Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon will allow Hezbollah to regain legitimacy.