Israel continues attacks in southern Lebanon despite Trump intervention | ABC NEWS

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]It has been much quieter on this side of the border following Donald Trump's intervention. Warning sirens did ring out a couple of times in the early hours of this morning as Hezbollah rockets and drones were detected, but for the most part throughout the course of the day they have remained silent. It's a very different situation though on the Lebanese side of the border with further Israeli strikes. The city of Nabatieh among those hit as Israel pursued claimed Hezbollah targets.

[00:00:28]Doctors at this hospital in the ancient city of Tyre were also surveying the damage after an Israeli strike hit nearby on Monday. Staff questioning why the area was targeted and insisting they will remain at the facility caring for patients.

[00:00:43]It might seem like ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon are at odds with what Donald Trump declared just yesterday that he'd convinced Israel and Hezbollah to stop attacking each other, but it is worth remembering what Benjamin Netanyahu said soon after those comments that Israel would continue its offensive in southern Lebanon even if it had pulled back from its attacks in Beirut.

[00:01:07]That's a position which was reiterated by Israel's defense minister.

[00:01:11]>> I'm in front.

[00:01:12]>> There is no ceasefire inside Lebanon and the IDF continues its operations against Hezbollah with the long-term ultimate goal being the disarmament of Hezbollah.

[00:01:22]>> It comes as officials from the Israeli and Lebanese governments held further talks in Washington. The Trump administration saying it's watching the developments in Lebanon closely and putting all of the pressure on the militant group Hezbollah.

[00:01:34]>> Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected this offer.

[00:01:38]However, today again, thanks to President Trump's personal intervention, we'll see if they choose differently.

[00:01:47]>> Donald Trump's intervention, which according to the news outlet Axios included some expletive-laden character assessments of the Israeli Prime Minister, does seem to have had the desired effect at this point that it's forced Israel to pull back from launching strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut. But, there are two significant questions which remain unanswered. First of all, how long will that last? We know that Benjamin Netanyahu is under considerable pressure domestically to expand Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. That pressure coming from outside of his government, but also from members of his own cabinet, including the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The second question is whether or not it is enough to coax Iran back into negotiations on a peace deal to end the broader Middle East war after the regime in Tehran had said it would suspend those talks and cut communications with the United States in protest over Israel's actions.