Overview
- Trump wrote Friday that Israel is “PROHIBITED” from bombing Lebanon, which sources said stunned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and led Israel to seek clarity from the White House.
- A U.S. official later said the ceasefire bars offensive operations and still lets Israel strike in self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks.
- Trump then posted Saturday night praising Israel as a “great ally,” a show of support that followed the tougher message on Lebanon.
- An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon late Friday was described by an Israeli source as a self-defense response to a Hezbollah violation of the truce.
- The U.S.-brokered 10-day truce remains in place, and the messaging rift underscored coordination strains as Washington also works regional diplomacy involving Iran and Hezbollah.