US President Donald Trump has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must limit its military operations in Lebanon to "surgical" strikes and avoid a full-scale resumption of the war. In a telephonic interview with Axios, the POTUS confirmed that he has done so because knocking down buildings "makes Israel look bad". This comes as the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire continues to fray, with the truce being only partially observed, even as the expiry date in mid-May draws closer.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-many-people-are-saying-california-governor-gavin-newsom-trolls-trump-s-passport-with-hilarious-all-caps-post-1777448534296">'MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING': Gavin Newsom trolls Trump’s passport with hilarious all-caps post</a><h2>Only "surgical strikes"</h2>Even as Hezbollah continues to conduct rocket and drone strikes and Israel continues to expand its airstrikes in Lebanon in response, Trump believes this is making Israel "look bad".Trump, who has reportedly talked to Netanyahu every day this week, was informed by Netanyahu that Israel would have to increase Israeli attacks to counter Hezbollah attacks. "I told Netanyahu he has got to do it more surgically. Not knock down buildings. He can't do it. It is too terrible and makes Israel look bad," Trump told Axios.He added that he likes Lebanon and its new leadership and believes the country can "make a comeback." "Iran ruined Lebanon. Their proxy [Hezbollah] ruined Lebanon. When Iran gets taken out, Hezbollah automatically gets taken out," said Trump.<h2>Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in pieces</h2>This comes as the Lebanon ceasefire, brokered with US involvement, continues to erode on the ground. Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Lebanon and has been demolishing structures it says were used by Hezbollah. Hezbollah, for its part, has kept up rocket and drone attacks against Israeli forces and border communities. Israel has responded with expanded airstrikes, but Israeli officials are pushing for a far more forceful response and expressing frustration at the constraints Washington has placed on them.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/god-save-the-marriage-trump-s-awkward-marriage-joke-earns-him-a-melania-death-stare-watch-viral-video-watch-king-charles-iii-visit-1777438081916">God save the marriage? Trump's awkward marriage joke earns him a Melania death stare | WATCH viral video</a>US officials are meanwhile framing Hezbollah as the aggressor, deliberately trying to derail diplomacy. "Hezbollah's strategy is clear: provoke, attack, and then blame Israel in order to kill the negotiations and make the Lebanese government look bad," one official said. "We cannot feasibly expect Israel to just take the hits. This is not the Biden administration." The same official said Washington has asked Israel to "show restraint" while a diplomatic track with Lebanon is given room to develop."We are going to massively increase our political campaign on Hezbollah and are looking for ways to get the Lebanese Armed Forces to overcome their challenges and intend to do this on a very rapid schedule," said the US official.While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hosted two meetings between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, there has been no meaningful progress toward formal peace talks. Trump has expressed enthusiasm for a trilateral summit involving himself, Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly warned Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back Israel’s Lebanon campaign, urging “surgical” strikes instead of large-scale destruction because, in Trump’s words, flattened buildings “make Israel look bad.”

Scroll down for the full story.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must limit its military operations in Lebanon to "surgical" strikes and avoid a full-scale resumption of the war. In a telephonic interview with Axios, the POTUS confirmed that he has done so because knocking down buildings "makes Israel look bad". This comes as the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire continues to fray, with the truce being only partially observed, even as the expiry date in mid-May draws closer. Also read | 'MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING': Gavin Newsom trolls Trump’s passport with hilarious all-caps post Only "surgical strikes" Even as Hezbollah continues to conduct rocket and drone strikes and Israel continues to expand its airstrikes in Lebanon in response, Trump believes this is making Israel "look bad". Trump, who has reportedly talked to Netanyahu every day this week, was informed by Netanyahu that Israel would have to increase Israeli attacks to counter Hezbollah attacks. "I told Netanyahu he has got to do it more surgically. Not knock down buildings. He can't do it. It is too terrible and makes Israel look bad," Trump told Axios. He added that he likes Lebanon and its new leadership and believes the country can "make a comeback." "Iran ruined Lebanon. Their proxy [Hezbollah] ruined Lebanon. When Iran gets taken out, Hezbollah automatically gets taken out," said Trump. Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in pieces This comes as the Lebanon ceasefire, brokered with US involvement, continues to erode on the ground. Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Lebanon and has been demolishing structures it says were used by Hezbollah. Hezbollah, for its part, has kept up rocket and drone attacks against Israeli forces and border communities. Israel has responded with expanded airstrikes, but Israeli officials are pushing for a far more forceful response and expressing frustration at the constraints Washington has placed on them. Also read | God save the marriage? Trump's awkward marriage joke earns him a Melania death stare | WATCH viral video US officials are meanwhile framing Hezbollah as the aggressor, deliberately trying to derail diplomacy. "Hezbollah's strategy is clear: provoke, attack, and then blame Israel in order to kill the negotiations and make the Lebanese government look bad," one official said. "We cannot feasibly expect Israel to just take the hits. This is not the Biden administration." The same official said Washington has asked Israel to "show restraint" while a diplomatic track with Lebanon is given room to develop. "We are going to massively increase our political campaign on Hezbollah and are looking for ways to get the Lebanese Armed Forces to overcome their challenges and intend to do this on a very rapid schedule," said the US official. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hosted two meetings between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, there has been no meaningful progress toward formal peace talks. Trump has expressed enthusiasm for a trilateral summit involving himself, Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly warned Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back Israel’s Lebanon campaign, urging “surgical” strikes instead of large-scale destruction because, in Trump’s words, flattened buildings “make Israel look bad.”Scroll down for the full story.

Trump tells Netanyahu to keep Lebanon strikes 'surgical' as ceasefire continues to erode

Over 1.2 million people in Lebanon are likely to face acute hunger due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, a UN-backed report said on Wednesday. The given data was declared in a joint statement by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, Lebanon's agriculture ministry and the World Food Programme. Around 1.24 million people, nearly a quarter of the population studied, are projected to experience crisis-level or worse food insecurity between April and August 2026, according to an assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a UN-backed group that tracks hunger and malnutrition.<h3>17% population experiences acute food insecurity</h3>This represents a sharp decline compared to the period before the war erupted in March, when about 874,000 people, nearly 17 per cent of the population, were experiencing acute food insecurity. "The deterioration is due to conflict, displacement and economic pressures," the statement said. A ceasefire since April 17 has temporarily halted six weeks of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a conflict that has reportedly killed more than 2,500 people in Lebanon and forced over one million to flee their homes. Despite the truce, Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon near the border, where residents have been cautioned against returning, and both sides have continued exchanging fire. The report warns that food insecurity is likely to worsen further without sustained humanitarian aid and livelihood support. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-iran-nuclear-pressure-1777463175711">Trump plans for extended Strait of Hormuz blockade to pressure Iran on nuclear deal</a>

The given data represents a sharp decline compared to the period before the war erupted in March, when about 874,000 people, nearly 17 per cent of the population, were experiencing acute food insecurity.

Over 1.2 million people in Lebanon are likely to face acute hunger due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, a UN-backed report said on Wednesday. The given data was declared in a joint statement by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, Lebanon's agriculture ministry and the World Food Programme. Around 1.24 million people, nearly a quarter of the population studied, are projected to experience crisis-level or worse food insecurity between April and August 2026, according to an assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a UN-backed group that tracks hunger and malnutrition. 17% population experiences acute food insecurity This represents a sharp decline compared to the period before the war erupted in March, when about 874,000 people, nearly 17 per cent of the population, were experiencing acute food insecurity. "The deterioration is due to conflict, displacement and economic pressures," the statement said. A ceasefire since April 17 has temporarily halted six weeks of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a conflict that has reportedly killed more than 2,500 people in Lebanon and forced over one million to flee their homes. Despite the truce, Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon near the border, where residents have been cautioned against returning, and both sides have continued exchanging fire. The report warns that food insecurity is likely to worsen further without sustained humanitarian aid and livelihood support. Also read: Trump plans for extended Strait of Hormuz blockade to pressure Iran on nuclear deal

The given data represents a sharp decline compared to the period before the war erupted in March, when about 874,000 people, nearly 17 per cent of the population, were experiencing acute food insecurity.

Over 1.2 million in Lebanon to face acute hunger amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict: UN report

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Trump tells Netanyahu to keep Lebanon strikes 'surgical' as ceasefire continues to erode

Over 1.2 million in Lebanon to face acute hunger amid conflict: UN report