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Israel hits Hezbollah in defiance of Trump's so-called Iran deal

As Trump obfuscates over Iran concessions in his new 'peace deal' major tension grows between Israel and Washington over the inclusion of Lebanon - as it is seen as protecting Hezbollah

[A police officer inspects buildings damaged in Israeli strikes in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon]

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A police officer inspects buildings damaged in Israeli strikes in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon(Image: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Israel has continued to hammer Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon in defiance of a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. At least one person has died in the attacks despite Lebanon being included in the memorandum of understanding on the Iran war. US President Donald Trumps controversial MOU concedes the inclusion of Lebanon, effectively limiting Israels ability to attack Irans proxy extension Hezbollah. It has infuriated many Israelis who see the MOU as severely restricting their ability to protect themselves from Hezbollah by attacking it.

Within hours of the MOU details emerging sources said Israeli delegates were in Washington heavily lobbying Trump aides about keeping troops in Lebanon. One western security source told the Mirror: This has already caused huge tension between Israel and the US as Israelis see it as a capitulation. Until now Israel has been able to pre-empt Hezbollah by attacking it within Lebanon and cutting off its ability to become a bigger threat. Units such as Hezbollahs so-called elite Radwan force has been decimated but if Israel bows to this agreement it believes Hezbollah will consolidate.

[Address by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, Beirut]

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Address by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, Beirut(Image: Fadel Itani/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

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Israel will feel forced to go against Washington as for years it has been working to deplete Hezbollah, with major successes. This is a huge setback for Israel. It sees having troops in southern Lebanon as a strategic necessity, as a buffer to protect its northern communities. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem even hailed the Trump MOU as a great victory as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces having to defy Washington. In a televised address, Qassem hailed the deal as a great victory for Iran, thanking his terror groups backer Iran for linking the Lebanese arena to the accord.

[Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ]

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

He said the MOU is forcing Israel to stop its aggression on the country and that it will help Hezbollah expel Israel from Lebanon. He saidThere are no experimental zones, no safe zones for Israel, no yellow zones, no red zones and no green zones .. Israel must leave, and it will leave. Tehran had from the beginning insisted on Lebanon being included in any lasting peace settlement to end the US - Israeli war on Iran. But Israel resisted the suggestion strongly and has been cut out of any talks about the contents of the memorandum of understanding.

[Child flashes 'V' for victory in Tyre, southern Lebanon]

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Child flashes 'V' for victory in Tyre, southern Lebanon(Image: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The MOU - signed electronically by Trump in France ahead of a signing in Switzerland on Friday- triggers a 60 day period of consultation on peace. Although it is hoped to open the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days it is still believed Iran will impose tariffs on passing shipping. And Trumps MOU - widely considered far worse than ex-President Obamas 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - defers the big issues of Irans nuclear bid. It also makes no mention of reining in Irans missile stocks, an exclusion that presents a considerable threat to Israel.

Lebanon is the first of 14 points in the new accord which begins with an end to fighting including in Lebanon and the US agreeing not interfere in Iran. The US must lift its naval blockade within 30 days and withdraw from around Iran. The Strait of Hormuz will re-open within 30 days and oil sanctions must be lifted - plus the US must give Iran $300 billion, although it is not clear where this money is coming from. There will be a 60 day negotiation on Irans nuclear programme and further sanctions lifting and Iran declares it will not build a nuclear weapon.

[Israeli troops cut into Lebanon in tank]

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Israeli troops cut into Lebanon in tank(Image: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

There will be no new sanctions or reinforcing of US forces in region and there will be a payment of $24 billion to Iran - half of it before the end of the 60 days And only once half of frozen assets have been unfrozen, oil sanctions have been suspended, and the naval blockade stopped will talks about uranium enrichment begin. Irans missile programme and support for its its proxy groups, including Hezbollah are excluded.

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