Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon, even as diplomatic channels remain active following the broader Iran ceasefire and a fragile ‘truce’ between Israel and Hezbollah, have exposed a widening gap between declared efforts at de-escalation and the reality on the ground.
Israeli strikes have killed over 50 people since the ceasefire began in mid-April, with reports highlighting heavy casualties in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun while denouncing the continuing Israeli violations in southern Lebanon has rightly underscored the need for exerting pressure on Israel to “ensure it respects international laws and conventions and ceases targeting civilians, paramedics, civil defence, and humanitarian health and relief organizations.” The US was considered the only country in the world that could effectively rein in Israel. But it increasingly appears that Washington is no longer in a position to exert any pressure on the Zionist entity.
In other words, the US is helpless when it comes to stopping Israel and its aggression or belligerence in Lebanon, Gaza, occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. In this regard, the fact that US President Donald Trump is vulnerable to blackmail demands by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot be ignored. It is no secret that the US President’s weakness or vulnerability stems from the Epstein Files scandal.
Rahat Qureshi, Karachi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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