From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Trump said to ask Netanyahu to scale back strikes on Lebanon, in order to ease talks
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US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back Israeli strikes on Lebanon to prevent the collapse of the fragile ceasefire with Iran.
The request came during a phone call yesterday, shortly after Netanyahu publicly vowed to continue striking Lebanon, NBC News says, citing a senior Trump official.
US Vice President JD Vance claimed yesterday that Israel had agreed to “check itself” with regard to Lebanon in order to help the negotiations with Iran.
But yesterday saw the single largest Israeli bombing campaign in Lebanon since the start of the Iran war, offering no indication that Jerusalem had agreed to show restraint.
As for Thursday — the day after Trump made his request — the Israeli Air Force has continued bombing Lebanon, albeit at a slightly lower intensity than the day prior. In an update this morning, the IDF said it struck weapon depots, rocket launchers and Hezbollah headquarters in south Lebanon.
Israel and the US have claimed that Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire with Iran, while Tehran and Pakistani mediators have insisted otherwise.
The Times of Israel Community.