Israel’s Foreign Ministry sent a warning to Lebanon’s prime minister and president on Wednesday, telling them not to interfere with its expanding operation against Hezbollah.
The threat comes as the United States and Iran have reached an agreement for a two-week ceasefire, a deal Israel and Lebanon were not included in.
In a statement posted on X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the Jewish state is justified in its attacks on Hezbollah, an Iranian-linked proxy operating in Lebanon, and accused Lebanese leadership of “attacking” Israel.
“Lebanon’s president and prime minister have no shame in attacking Israel for doing what they should have done: striking Hezbollah,” the statement said. “They did not disarm Hezbollah. They did not and do not prevent it from firing on Israel … Now we must do it instead of them.”
“It is time to start acting against Hezbollah. In deeds, not words. And if you are incapable of doing so – at least do not get in the way,” the statement concluded.
After the ceasefire agreement was struck Tuesday evening, in which Israel and the U.S. halted attacks on Iran, Israel launched what it described as the biggest strikes yet on Beirut.
On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Lebanon is not covered under the current ceasefire framework, a distinction that underscores the risk of a parallel escalation on Israel’s northern front.
President Donald Trump affirmed that Lebanon was not included in the deal but implied an agreement could be coming, according to PBS Newshour.
“That’ll get taken care of too,” Trump said of the conflict, adding that Lebanon was not included “because of Hezbollah” and that it is a “separate skirmish.”
Despite not getting a seat at the table, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the country supports Trump’s decision to suspend attacks to push Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route.
“The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel’s regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations,” the statement said. “The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon.”
The ceasefire agreement will allow the U.S. and Iran to negotiate a more comprehensive long-term agreement for better relations, but there are several issues still to be hammered out, including what will happen with Iran’s uranium enrichment programs.
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Netanyahu’s office said it stands with the U.S. in ensuring that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.
“Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbors and the world,” Netanyahu’s office said.
