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US President Donald Trump's declaration that Israel is "prohibited" from continuing strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon has left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly "stunned and alarmed," according to an Axios report cited by multiple outlets. The surprise announcement, posted on Truth Social, prompted Israeli officials to seek clarification from the White House, as the language appeared to exceed the terms of the US-backed ceasefire agreement.

Coverage Comparison

Accounts from Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and TASS converge on the central fact: Trump's post on Friday declared that Israel "will not be bombing Lebanon any longer," adding that the US will work with Lebanon separately and "deal with the Hezbollah situation in an appropriate manner." The Jerusalem Post, citing Axios, reported that Netanyahu was "personally stunned and alarmed" by the post, and that Israeli aides, including Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, began investigating when and how the US position had changed.

TASS, citing the same Axios report, noted that the post "contradicted the text of the ceasefire agreement" and that the implication of an order to Israel would have been "unthinkable under other US administrations." Al Jazeera highlighted a separate development: hours after Trump reportedly asked Netanyahu to stop destroying buildings in Lebanon because it makes Israel "look bad," the Israeli prime minister published a montage of forces blowing up infrastructure across southern Lebanon.

The three sources differ in emphasis. Al Jazeera's framing is critical of Netanyahu, portraying his actions as defiant of Trump's request. The Jerusalem Post is more focused on Israel's confusion and concern, describing the episode as an "unconventional approach" by Trump. TASS, the Russian state news agency, maintains a neutral tone, primarily relaying the Axios report.

Key Claims

  • Trump's prohibition and Israeli shock: According to the Jerusalem Post and TASS, both citing Axios, Trump's post on Truth Social declared Israel "prohibited" from bombing Lebanon, using language that implied a direct order. Netanyahu and his advisers were "shocked," and Israeli officials sought clarification from the White House. This claim is corroborated by multiple sources and is considered highly reliable.
  • Contradiction with the ceasefire agreement: The Jerusalem Post reported that Trump's language appeared to contradict the ceasefire agreement, which allows Israel to take military action "in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks." This point was also raised by TASS. The right to self-defense is part of the ceasefire text, a detail confirmed by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Trump's request about building destruction: Al Jazeera reported that Trump asked Netanyahu to stop destroying buildings in Lebanon because it "makes Israel look bad." This claim, attributed to unnamed sources by Al Jazeera, has not been independently verified by other outlets in the provided coverage.
  • Netanyahu's outlook on the ceasefire: The Jerusalem Post noted that Netanyahu confirmed the ceasefire and hailed it as an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" with Lebanon. This was reported only by the Jerusalem Post among the three sources.

Perspectives

Israeli leadership: Netanyahu is portrayed as caught off guard by Trump's statement, with aides scrambling to understand the shift. The Israeli perspective, as presented by the Jerusalem Post, emphasizes the legal right to self-defense under the ceasefire and the surprising nature of Trump's public order.

US administration: Trump's post is characterized as an unconventional move that may have been intended to curb Israeli operations in Lebanon, reflecting his stated concern about Israel's image. A US official, quoted by Axios and relayed by the Jerusalem Post, said the ceasefire agreement "clearly states that Israel will not carry out any" further strikes, though the full quote is cut off.

Regional observers: Al Jazeera's coverage underscores the tension between Trump's request and Netanyahu's subsequent actions, suggesting a potential rift between the allies. The publication's framing implies criticism of Israel's continued operations despite US pressure.

Temporal Context

As of the reporting date, clashes on the ground continued despite the ceasefire, according to the Jerusalem Post. The article from Al Jazeera is dated April 30, 2026, while the Jerusalem Post and TASS pieces are from April 18, 2026. The timeline suggests that Trump's post and Netanyahu's response occurred in mid-April, with subsequent events (such as the publishing of the montage) taking place later. No corrections to these reports have been noted.