Israeli Officials Say Trump’s Message on Lebanon Was a Sharp Rebuke

Israel’s political-security cabinet met in a secure, undisclosed location in Jerusalem on Sunday night amid expectations of an Iranian strike and after President Donald Trump publicly criticized an Israeli attack in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. The meeting was moved because of security demands and the risk of escalation. Israeli officials were briefed that an Iranian launch could come within hours, possibly before midnight.

According to the report, Trump has been telling Israel that he is trying to prevent Iran from carrying out the strike, and Jerusalem believes he may soon offer Tehran some form of concession in return. The Americans also told Israeli officials that Israel must not take any step that could endanger the emerging arrangement, meaning Israel should refrain from responding even if Iran does fire.

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12, “Trump’s message is a resounding slap in the face. The prohibition has gone up a level, the expectation that we will not attack on Lebanese soil does not fit the narrative of a strategic ally.” Another close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump’s post was received with shock.

The report also said that in one of their recent conversations, Trump suggested Israel physically withdraw from southern Lebanon as part of a broader understanding with Iran. Netanyahu rejected that idea outright, telling Trump it did not serve the shared interests of Israel and the United States. Israeli leaders now fear that any deal Trump is pursuing with Iran could significantly narrow Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon, possibly even leading to a full halt to military activity there.