West Asia tensions: Israel strikes southern Lebanon despite ceasefire extension claim by Trump

Donald Trump meets Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks on Thursday for ceasfire. PIC/AFP

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday said it carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what it described as militant infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.

According to the Israeli Air Force, the strikes hit locations in Khirbet Salam and Tulin. These sites were allegedly being used to plan attacks against Israeli forces and territory, as per ANI.

In a statement on X, the Air Force said, "The Air Force struck military structures in the Khirbet Salam and Tulin areas in southern Lebanon, which were used by the Hezbollah terror organisation to advance terror plots against IDF forces and the State of Israel."

The X post further added, "The strikes were carried out in response to the rocket fire launched by the Hezbollah terror organisation toward the Shlomi area last night."

Strikes despite ceasefire claims

The development comes even as Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks following talks with senior officials from both sides.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said, "They've agreed to an additional three weeks of, I guess, no firing ceasefire no more firing. Let's see. We hope that happens. It's not going to happen between them, but we still have Hezbollah to think about." He added that while progress had been made between Israel and Lebanon, the situation involving Hezbollah remained uncertain, reported the news agency.

US role in mediation efforts

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States (US) would work with Lebanon to strengthen its ability to protect itself from Hezbollah. He described recent discussions with leaders and officials as a "historic meeting."

Trump also expressed hope to host Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun in the near future for further talks.

"The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS. I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honour to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting!," the post read.

US Vice-President calls it a ‘historic moment'

JD Vance described the ceasefire extension as a major step forward. He said, "I think this is a major, historic moment. We're going to extend the ceasefire for three weeks; that's already in place between Israel and Lebanon. Of course, it would not have happened without the President's direct engagement."

(With ANI Inputs)