US backs Israeli strikes on Lebanon, says Hezbollah violated ceasefire

The United States is prepared to support Israeli strikes against Lebanon on the grounds that Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire, according to a senior US official cited by Axios.

Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, writing on social media platform X, quoted remarks from the unnamed senior US official.

“Hezbollah ignored numerous calls, including the latest ultimatum, to cease fire against Israel. No one expects Israel to respond passively to attacks against its forces and civilian population,” the official said.

The US official said Hezbollah had launched more than 1,000 drones and 700 rockets from Lebanon into Israel since April 17.

The official said the attacks were intended to sabotage negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

The same official said Hezbollah bore “full responsibility” for the current situation, adding that the group had violated the ceasefire that took effect on March 2.

The US official also said Hezbollah was uncomfortable with the direct talks taking place between Lebanon and Israel.

According to the official, the group viewed the talks as “a threat to its existence” and believed the ceasefire could deprive Hezbollah of the power it currently possessed.

On March 2, the Israeli military announced that it had carried out strikes against Hezbollah targets “across Lebanon.”

Before the strikes, the Israeli military said Hezbollah had launched attacks against Israel.

The strikes were the first since the ceasefire reached in November 2024.

US President Donald Trump said on April 8 that attacks against Iran had been halted. In return, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be fully and immediately reopened.

The Israeli government said it supported the US approach, but added that the ceasefire arrangement would not apply to Lebanon.

The Israeli military said the same day that it had completed its largest strike against Hezbollah infrastructure since the beginning of military operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 9 instructed officials to begin peace talks with Lebanon.

Last week, the Israeli military also announced that it had struck more than 25 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in various parts of southern Lebanon.