Netanyahu faces backlash after shelving Beirut strike plans following Trump call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under criticism from both political allies and opponents after refraining from carrying out a threatened strike on Hezbollah targets in Beirut following pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu had announced on Monday that he had ordered the Israeli military to target sites in the Lebanese capital in response to Hezbollah drone attacks on northern Israel, reports FT.

The threat heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and raised concerns about the collapse of a ceasefire brokered by the United States in April.

However, after a phone conversation with Trump later that day, Israel did not proceed with the planned strikes. Trump later said he had urged Netanyahu to abandon what he described as a planned "major raid" and claimed the Israeli leader had "turned his Troops around."

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "[Hizbollah] agreed to stop shooting at Israel and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let's see how long that lasts – Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!"

The decision to halt the operation triggered a wave of criticism across Israel's political landscape. Critics argued that Netanyahu's retreat undermined Israel's ability to respond forcefully to Hezbollah attacks at a time when public support for tougher military action remains strong.

Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister and one of Netanyahu's key rivals ahead of the expected Israeli elections, accused him of "losing control over Israeli sovereignty."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party, criticised Netanyahu for turning Israel into a "vassal state." Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, also condemned the move, writing on X: "There has never been a prime minister in Israel who accepted such a humiliating demand."

The criticism extended to members of Netanyahu's own governing coalition. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on the prime minister to reject Trump's request and intensify military operations against Hezbollah.

"You said that a strong prime minister tells the President of the United States — 'yes' when possible, and 'no' — when necessary. This is the time to tell our friend, President Trump — 'no'," Ben-Gvir wrote on X.

"Now is the time to do what is required and necessary to strike Hizbollah, to unleash the hands of our fighters, and to restore security to the north," he added.

Trump's intervention came amid wider regional tensions. Iranian state-affiliated media reported that Tehran had suspended negotiations with Washington over extending a separate ceasefire due to Israel's military operations in Lebanon and Gaza.

Iran has repeatedly maintained that any extension of its ceasefire with the US must also include a truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent days despite the ceasefire announced on 16 April. Israeli forces have expanded operations in southern Lebanon and designated large areas as a combat zone, while Hezbollah has continued launching rockets and drones into northern Israel.

Although Hezbollah has not claimed attacks on Israeli territory since Trump's announcement, the group said it targeted Israeli troops attempting to advance into the Lebanese village of Hadatha late Monday.

Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes continued in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including attacks on the towns of Jebchit and Ansar, according to Lebanese state media.