Khaberni - Israel has informed the American administration that its current policy of restraint in Lebanon is undermining its deterrent capacity and is favorable to Hezbollah.
Channel 12 Hebrew reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed this matter with US President Donald Trump during a phone call, adding that Netanyahu emphasized that responding without initiating gives the party a chance to recover and strengthen its ideological position, and exposes Israeli forces on the ground to increasing risks.
According to the Israeli stance, the continuation of restricted operations gradually leads to the erosion of deterrence and negatively affects the security of the northern population and the operational readiness of the army.
In this context, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urgently requested from Trump to shorten the diplomatic track with the Lebanese government to a period not exceeding mid-May, i.e., between two to three weeks.
This comes after Trump rejected an Iranian proposal that included a ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz before discussing the nuclear file. Tel Aviv believes that the continuation of Hezbollah's attacks against the forces and northern communities undermines the chances of success of any negotiations, demanding Washington to set a clear time frame, and in case the talks fail within this framework, to allow it to "return to the original plan," referring to a broader military escalation, according to Channel 12 Hebrew.
In Israel, US restrictions are seen as a factor that restricts military operational freedom and gives Hezbollah room to reorganize its ranks. Given the unclear duration of this policy, the decision is largely linked to the US desire to maintain a broader negotiating track with Iran, posing Tel Aviv a complex equation between adhering to Washington's strategic accounts and security requirements on the ground.
In monitoring the situation, the Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the northern front, where he affirmed that the forces are following political-level directives and are awaiting decisions regarding the next phase, emphasizing that the army "will not tolerate attacks" and that forces have been deployed at confrontation lines to prevent targeting of settlements. He noted that the army has achieved the goals set for it so far, with an emphasis on continued deployment to ensure the security of the northern residents.
In conclusion, there are increasing questions within Israel about the current cost of coordinating with the United States, especially if it comes at the expense of eroding deterrence against Hezbollah, at a time when the Lebanese front intersects with broader calculations of the confrontation with Iran, making the next phase open to the possibilities of escalation or redefining the rules of engagement.
