US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had spoken with Iran-aligned Lebanese militia group Hezbollah through intermediaries, securing a pledge not to attack Israel. He also communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who agreed to pull back any troops preparing for an attack in southern Lebanon.
Trump stated on Truth Social, “I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way have already been turned back.” He further noted, “Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop.”
A Lebanese official told Reuters that Hezbollah informed the US through Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri of its willingness to halt attacks on northern Israel in exchange for Israel sparing Beirut and its suburbs from strikes. The conflict in Lebanon has been the most significant fallout from the Iran war, displacing over 1.2 million Lebanese since March 2 when Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into Israel.
On Saturday, Israeli troops seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, occurring after one of the heaviest days of Hezbollah fire towards northern Israel since the April ceasefire, leading to school closures and restrictions.