US reports on Lebanon strikes 'fake'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports on Sunday that the US had restricted Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

"I heard it was said in the media that President Trump asked not to act against terror tunnels in Lebanon. This is a legend, fake news. He didn't say anything to me about it, and I didn't ask him. We operate according to our considerations," Netanyahu said during a weekly Cabinet meeting.

His remarks contradicted an earlier report by Israel's public broadcaster KAN late last month that Israel had provided US officials with detailed intelligence on alleged Hezbollah tunnels in the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon in an effort to obtain US approval for military operations in the area.

The report suggested Israel sought a US green light to continue its military activities in Lebanon, contrary to Netanyahu's assertion that Israeli military decisions are made independently.

Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu said there would be no reconstruction in the enclave before it is disarmed, a position that departs from the sequencing outlined in US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.