United States President Donald Trump has condemned the air strike launched this Sunday by Israel against southern Beirut, an offensive that, in his opinion, "should not have happened," and has urged both Tel Aviv and the Hezbollah militias to de-escalate tensions, considering that he is "very close" to closing the memorandum of understanding with Iran that would open the door to a stable peace process.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israel has fired several missiles at a block of apartments located in the Dahiya neighborhood, in the south of the Lebanese capital and considered a Hezbollah stronghold. The attack occurred in retaliation for what the Israeli government described as the launch of several drones loaded with explosives against its territory.
The Israeli bombing left at least three dead and 15 injured, while the alleged attack with unmanned aircraft caused no casualties. This contrast has led Trump, in a message broadcast on his platform, to question Israel's response.
"Israel has the right to defend itself from threats, but the attack it was responding to was of little importance and consequence; no one was injured or killed, and it should not interrupt this important process," the US leader said, referring to negotiations with Tehran.
Trump is celebrating his 80th birthday this Sunday with a major mixed martial arts event at the White House, a day on which he hoped to sign the preliminary agreement with Iran. On Saturday, he was confident that the signing would take place today, but throughout the day, the Iranian delegation has conveyed strong reservations about the pending technical aspects and, above all, about the attack on Dahiya.
The protection of the Hezbollah stronghold constitutes an unmovable demand from Tehran, the main ally of the party-militia, to access the dialogue table. Any aggression in that area is interpreted as a red line for the Iranian regime.
"This morning's attack in Beirut should not have happened, especially on such a special day, when we are so close to a peace agreement with Iran," Trump said before insisting on the need to de-escalate tensions.
"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other group, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace," the US president concluded.
Warning to Netanyahu
Hours later, Trump spoke with Fox News journalist Barak Ravid, to whom he expressed his deep displeasure with the Israeli operation and revealed the content of a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "What the hell are you doing? (...) Why did you have to do that fucking attack, Bibi? I'm very angry and I let him know," Trump recounted, always according to Ravid.
"He has no judgment. I told him that," continued the president, who claims to have asked Netanyahu to cease attacks against Hezbollah. Trump also maintains that the understanding with Iran will be signed "in the next two or three hours" and, for that reason, has publicly called for calm and an end to hostilities.
"We were going to sign this morning, but the Israeli attack delayed it. I think we will sign today," he pointed out. Ravid added that Trump also asked Iran not to respond militarily to the bombing, with the aim of not undermining the nascent agreement.