It has become clear that an escalation in the relationship between Hezbollah and the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister has become inevitable, along with all the internal repercussions it may entail.

Despite a request by US President Donald Trump, according to Israeli Channel 15, "not to escalate the situation in Lebanon so as not to disrupt the communications he is conducting with Iran, and to postpone the operation in the Ali al-Tahir area," the political confrontation with Hezbollah continues to intensify.

Al-Manar, Hezbollah's media outlet, even aired a video titled "Aoun to the Enemy, Humiliation for Lebanon," in direct response to the positions of President Joseph Aoun, who has refused to yield under pressure, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who reiterated the same principles during a televised appearance two days ago, reaffirming his refusal to succumb to Hezbollah's pressure.

Amid a pause in US-Iranian negotiations, intended to give Iran time to mourn the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Mr. Ali Khamenei, ahead of a serious round of talks scheduled for July 11, Washington has taken initial steps to activate the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

US General Clearfield to oversee the implementation of the 'framework agreement'

This included appointing former head of the "Mechanism" committee, General Joseph Clearfield, to lead the new security and military committee responsible for overseeing the direct implementation of the Lebanese-Israeli framework agreement. He will chair the committee and represent the United States within it.

Away from the spotlight, Clearfield has been conducting contacts and meetings along the Beirut–Tel Aviv–Washington axis in preparation for forming the Lebanese-American-Israeli tripartite team, while also working to accelerate implementation of the framework agreement in the designated model areas in southern Lebanon. However, his mission does not appear to be an easy one and may take time, particularly as Hezbollah's uncompromising position serves Israel's interests by reinforcing its own inflexibility and delaying implementation.

Against this backdrop, official Lebanon is counting on American pressure to soften Tel Aviv's stance and move the framework agreement from paper to practice. Israeli sources told Channel 15 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is awaiting the green light from President Trump to take control of the Ali al-Tahir base carved into the mountain, was asked to postpone the operation while negotiations with Iran remain underway.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Trump responded to Netanyahu's request to carry out the operation in the Ali al-Tahir Heights by saying: "Let me deal with Iran first. Do not bother me with explosions there."

No confirmed date yet for expected Aoun visit to Washington

Attention is also focused on a planned visit by President Aoun to the United States at the invitation of his American counterpart. Political sources told Al-Markazia that no date has yet been set, as Aoun wants the visit to be meaningful and productive, particularly in advancing the implementation of the "pilot zones." He does not want the trip to be merely ceremonial or limited to photo opportunities.

On the ground, Israel continues its military activity in southern Lebanon, albeit at a slower pace. The Israeli army carried out a major explosion in the Qantara–Deir Siryan area of the Marjeyoun district. Israeli artillery targeted Mount Basil opposite the towns of Ramya and Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Mansouri in the Tyre district, injuring one person. Artillery shelling also intermittently targeted the Arnoun area, accompanied by heavy machine-gun fire.

An Israeli drone also targeted a house in the town of Mansouri overnight. The Israeli army carried out two explosions in the towns of Tallusa and Hadathah, as well as another in the vicinity of Tayri in the Bint Jbeil district.

Later in the afternoon, an Israeli helicopter conducted a wide search operation around the town of Majdal Zoun. Subsequently, an Israeli Apache helicopter launched five missiles toward the town.

Reports also indicated intermittent clashes around the town of Kfar Tabnit, where automatic gunfire was heard alongside artillery shelling targeting the area.