US President Donald Trump's statement banning further Israeli military strikes on Lebanon surprised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing its sources.
According to them, “Netanyahu and his aides were shocked“ by the president's announcement, which Axios said contradicted the text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel “has sought clarification from the White House“. The implication of the US leader's post, issuing an order that Israel cannot disobey, would be "unthinkable for other US administrations", Axios notes.
Earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon". "They are forbidden to do so by the United States. Stop!", he added.
On April 16, the US president announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. He believed that the agreement could lead to lasting peace between the two countries. The US leader announced that he was inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to meet at the White House in the coming days for peace talks.