Netanyahu cancels Beirut strikes after Trump intervention, faces backlash

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced sharp criticism from opposition figures and coalition partners on Monday after calling off airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs at the request of US President Donald Trump. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the government of operating under "complete guardianship" in a post on X.

Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman was more direct, telling Channel 12 that "Netanyahu is not a prime minister, but a puppet." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told Israel Hayom that the government "has lost control over Israeli sovereignty."

Right-wing coalition pressure

Even Netanyahu's own political allies voiced discontent with the reversal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly urged the premier to defy the American president. "It is time to tell our friend, President Trump — 'no'," Ben-Gvir wrote on X.

Ben-Gvir added that Israel should "do what is required and necessary to strike Hezbollah, untie the hands of our fighters, and restore security to the north." The remarks underscored mounting pressure from Israel's far-right to escalate military operations against the Lebanese group regardless of Washington's preferences.

Trump-mediated ceasefire

Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli military to prepare strikes on Beirut early Monday following what he described as Hezbollah attacks. Israeli media reported that the operation was aborted after US intervention. Trump announced the same day that Israel and Hezbollah had reached an understanding to halt attacks against each other.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on April 17 and was extended for 45 days following indirect talks mediated by Washington. Despite the truce, Israeli strikes have continued. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that more than 3,400 people have been killed across Lebanon since March 2.