Israel Rejects Trump's Ceasefire Call In Action With Fresh Lebanon Strikes

Israeli air and drone strikes killed at least 3 people in southern Lebanon, just a day after the United States and Iran signed an interim MOU calling for a ceasefire on all front including Lebanon.

Israel makes clear that it does not consider itself bound by the terms the deal that clearly expects immediate and permanent termination of military action on all fronts.

The timing places Israel in direct tension with both the letter and the spirit of the agreement, and with its most important ally.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance had separately warned Israel it cannot afford to alienate "the only powerful ally" it has left in the world, earlier this week.

Three Killed as Strikes Continue

Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone struck a car near the town of Kfar Tebnit, killing 2 people.

At least 1 more person was killed in a separate Israeli strike in Zabadin. Hezbollah said its fighters had repelled a 4-day Israeli offensive aimed at advancing deeper into southern Lebanon, targeting Israeli troops and tanks with drones, rockets, and artillery.

Israel's 10 km Occupation Zone and Maritime Concerns

Israel's military released a map yesterday showing its forces positioned approximately 10km, roughly 6.2 miles, inside Lebanese territory along what it calls its "security zone".

Legal experts warn the map extends not only into Lebanese land but also into Lebanese maritime territory, which would violate the 2022 US-brokered maritime border agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

The affected area includes Lebanon's Qana gas project, whose exploration rights were explicitly guaranteed to Lebanon under that agreement.

More Violation Asked By Netanyahu’s Cabinet

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, made remarks placing the Israeli government's position in direct contradiction to both Trump and Vance, right after Trump’s G7 remarks that warned Israel “not to bomb every house” in Lebanon.

"We cannot stop destroying houses in southern Lebanon. We cannot stop, period," he said.

He also rejected allowing displaced Lebanese civilians to return to southern Lebanon.

"We must continue to control the territory even if Trump disagrees. We are an independent state," he said.

Since March 2, Israel's war on Lebanon has killed at least 3,912 people, wounded 11,873 others, and displaced more than 1 million people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.