TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that any agreement between the United States and Iran will not halt Israel's military strikes in Lebanon. The statement was made to senior U.S. officials in closed-door talks with President Donald Trump's administration.
According to a report by Anadolu citing Israel Hayom on Monday, March 30, Netanyahu stated that the Washington and Tehran deal will not be applicable in Lebanon. The report mentioned, "Israel will continue to take advantage of the opportunity to eliminate Hezbollah even if there is an agreement between Trump and Iranian officials."
Rejecting the French Proposal
Netanyahu also rejected the French proposal to cease the war against Hezbollah. The proposal included French President Emmanuel Macron's commitment to helping resolve the conflict.
Netanyahu viewed the current situation as an opportunity for Israel to strengthen its security position by pushing Hezbollah away from the Litani River in southern Lebanon. A senior Israeli official quoted by Israel Hayom mentioned that the U.S. has accepted this position. "Lebanon does not matter to President Trump," the official said.
Escalation of Conflict in Lebanon
Israel has continued to launch air strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon since the cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, 2026. Lebanese authorities reported at least 1,247 fatalities and 3,690 injuries due to the Israeli attacks.
This escalation unfolded amid joint military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran since February 28, 2026. According to Iranian authorities, more than 1,340 people have died in these attacks. Iran then retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and U.S. military bases in the Gulf region.
As reported by TRT World, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country wants to end the war on the condition that aggression will not be repeated. "We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met -- especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," Pezeshkian stated during a telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa, as quoted from his office's official statement.
He also emphasized that the only way to normalize the situation is to stop the aggressive attacks and warned that any external intervention will have serious consequences. Costa stated that Europe does not support attacks against Iran and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
ANADOLU | TRT WORLD
Read: Russia Condemns Deadly Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
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