Informed sources reported that a state of bewilderment and extreme concern prevailed in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the surprising statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding military operations in Lebanon. The sources clarified that Netanyahu and his aides did not expect the firm tone Trump used in his recent warnings, especially as they came at a time when Israeli military operations were still ongoing.
The US President had posted on his 'Truth Social' platform, clearly stating that the United States was preventing Israel from launching any additional raids on Lebanese territory, using the phrase 'enough is enough.' This firm stance caused significant confusion in political and security circles within Tel Aviv, which had been counting on a wider margin of maneuver in carrying out its airstrikes.
Immediately, Israeli diplomacy moved to clarify the new American position, with the Israeli ambassador in Washington, Yehiel Leiter, making urgent calls to the White House to request explanations about the nature of this ban. These moves come after the Israeli government learned of Trump's intentions through the media, reflecting a gap in direct coordination between the allies at this critical moment.
For his part, an American official tried to ease the tension by clarifying the terms of the ceasefire agreement sponsored by Trump, indicating that the agreement explicitly stipulates Israel's abstention from launching offensive operations. However, the official stressed that Israel still retains what he described as the 'right to self-defense' in the event of facing imminent or ongoing attacks from within Lebanese territory.
Inside Israel, press reports quoted official sources as saying that current assessments indicate a radical shift in the course of the confrontation, making a return to fighting in Lebanon unlikely. The sources added that Trump's message was clear and decisive, putting an end to Israeli hopes of resuming military operations after the expiration of the ten-day truce period.
American surprises were not limited to the Lebanese file but extended to relations with Tehran, as Trump revealed his expectations of holding a high-level meeting with the Iranian side within two days. This rapid diplomatic move aims to finalize a comprehensive agreement that ends the raging war in the region, representing a major turning point in US foreign policy.
Leaked information indicates that Washington and Tehran have made significant progress in drafting a three-page agreement addressing the thorny issues between the two parties. According to media sources, the draft includes Iranian commitments to stop supporting armed factions in the region, especially Hezbollah and Hamas, in exchange for broad security and political understandings.
The US President also claimed that Tehran had given preliminary approval to cooperate with the United States on its nuclear file, specifically regarding the removal of its enriched uranium stockpile. These developments, if true, would represent a fundamental change in regional power balances and impose a new reality that the Israeli government must deal with very cautiously.
In the context of ongoing US pressure, Hebrew reports revealed that the Trump administration is strongly pressing Tel Aviv to resume the negotiation process with Syria as well. It appears that the current American vision aims to zero out crises in the region through a series of simultaneous agreements involving Lebanon, Iran, and Syria, to ensure long-term stability.
Observers in Tel Aviv believe that the possibility of reaching a comprehensive agreement with Iran now outweighs the possibility of returning to direct military confrontation. This growing sentiment reflects a conviction among the Israeli political elite that Washington has decided to impose coercive political solutions that go beyond traditional Israeli reservations regarding northern border security and the Iranian threat.
In conclusion, the Israeli and Lebanese streets alike await what the coming hours will bring from pivotal meetings in Washington or other capitals. While the fragile truce in Lebanon continues, the question remains about Netanyahu's ability to align his policies with Trump's diplomatic 'storm,' which seems unlikely to stop at media statements.
Israel will not bomb Lebanon anymore, and the United States is preventing it from doing so... enough is enough!
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Shock in Tel Aviv: Trump Imposes Ban on Bombing Lebanon, Nears Deal with Iran