Israeli officials fear Trump deal could restrict strikes in Lebanon

Israel’s political-security cabinet met in a secret location in Jerusalem on Saturday because of security concerns and rising tensions over a possible Iranian attack. The meeting came amid expectations that Iran could fire within hours, possibly before midnight, and after President Donald Trump’s public remarks criticizing Israel’s planned strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district.

According to a senior Israeli official quoted by Channel 12, Trump has told Israel he is trying to stop Iran from carrying out the threatened fire, but Jerusalem believes he may be preparing to offer Tehran some kind of concession in return. The same official said, “Trump’s message is a stinging slap in the face,” adding that the expectation Israel should not attack on Lebanese soil “does not fit the narrative of a strategic ally.”

The report says American officials have also made clear to Jerusalem that Israel must not take any step that could endanger the emerging understanding, even if Iran ultimately fires anyway. That would mean Israel should refrain from retaliation. One person close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump’s post was received with shock.

The article says that in one of their recent conversations, Trump suggested Israel physically withdraw from southern Lebanon as part of broader arrangements with Iran, but Netanyahu rejected the idea outright. Israeli officials now fear Trump’s possible agreement with Iran could sharply narrow Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon, potentially limiting military activity there entirely, not only in Beirut.