Israel Launches First Airstrike on Beirut Since Ceasefire... Suspicions of Disrupting Peace Agreement

Airstrike Continues Despite Progress in U.S.-Iran Agreement
Netanyahu: "I Speak with Trump Every Day"

Reuters Yonhap News

The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, for the first time since the ceasefire with Lebanon brokered by the United States. As the airstrikes continued amid ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, suspicions have been growing that the attack was intended to disrupt the agreement between the two sides.

According to Al Jadeed, a Lebanese media outlet, on the 6th (local time), the Israeli military bombed the Haret Hreik area south of Beirut that day. It has been reported that an apartment building in the area was destroyed by the Israeli missile strike, resulting in casualties. This is the first time the Israeli military has launched an airstrike on Beirut since the ceasefire with Lebanon took effect on the 16th of last month.

Earlier that day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that progress was being made on an agreement with Iran. During a press conference at the White House, President Trump stated, "Iran must not and will not have nuclear weapons," adding, "They have agreed to this point, along with several other matters." Despite this announcement, Israel’s airstrike on Beirut has drawn criticism, with many claiming it was an attempt to undermine the agreement.

As the controversy grew, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the unusual step of issuing a joint statement with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, detailing the airstrike. In the statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "This airstrike targeted Malki Blut, the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force," explaining that "it was an attempt to eliminate him."

Prime Minister Netanyahu also reiterated during his opening remarks at the cabinet security meeting that there are no disagreements with the United States. He stated, "We are in continuous contact with our friends in the United States. I am speaking with President Trump almost every day," adding, "I plan to speak with President Trump tonight." He went on to say, "There is complete coordination between us (Israel and the United States). There are no surprises regarding the possibility of a U.S.-Iran agreement," emphasizing, "We share common goals."

The Times of Israel (TOI) reported, "It is rare for Prime Minister Netanyahu to make the remarks from a security meeting public," and suggested that the move appears to be aimed at refuting suspicions that Israel was unaware of the potential agreement between the United States and Iran.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.