A source close to the White House says it is only a matter of time before Washington formally demands that Israel pull its troops out of southern Lebanon. Such a demand, the source said, would put Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a very difficult dilemma, and people around Netanyahu reportedly believe the U.S. is indeed preparing to dictate terms on the issue.
Netanyahu has told associates that leaving the security zone in southern Lebanon is a “red line.” He has also instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for measures that will protect soldiers operating there. In Netanyahu’s circle, the situation with the Americans is described as “definitely challenging,” against the backdrop of what they say is a shift in Donald Trump’s policy and growing political pressure on Israel.
The warnings follow earlier reports that Jerusalem was bracing for intensified U.S. pressure after Trump changed his approach toward Iran. At the time, Netanyahu’s allies said his rule would be to “say yes where possible, and not as much as necessary,” while others said Israel must “act wisely” and respond with its head, not its gut. A political source stressed that Israel will safeguard its own security, saying, “The enemies are around our borders, not anyone else’s, and we will act against them.”
The report also says that, in the days before the killing of five IDF soldiers over the weekend and before the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S., the army received orders to almost completely freeze fire in southern Lebanon. According to Gali Tzahal’s Doron Kadosh, the order reached Northern Command several days ago and significantly tightened rules of engagement. Many strikes that previously only required approval from divisional commanders or the Northern Command chief now need approval from the chief of staff, and even the political echelon. Officers told Gali Tzahal that the restrictions are hampering the army’s ability to hit Hezbollah operatives and protect Israeli forces. The IDF spokesman has not commented.
