Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US President Donald Trump to limit ongoing negotiations with Lebanon to a two- to three-week window ending in mid-May during a call late Wednesday, Israel's Channel 12 (N12) reported. The request signals growing Israeli frustration with diplomatic efforts as Hezbollah continues attacks against IDF troops and northern communities, with Jerusalem warning it may pursue expanded military action if talks fail to produce results.
The call came after Trump rejected a recent Iranian proposal to set aside discussions of Iran's nuclear program until the war has ended and focus now on resolving disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli officials said continued Hezbollah attacks against IDF troops and northern communities are eroding the chances of reaching an agreement and undermining Israel's deterrence.
Military Restraint and Escalation Threats
Jerusalem has conveyed to Washington that if talks fail to produce results within the requested timeframe, Israel will seek approval to move forward with its "original plan" of expanded military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the political echelon has instructed the IDF to exercise restraint in Lebanon. The military is currently avoiding strikes north of the Litani River, with any such action carefully considered and requiring special approval.
Trump, in turn, has urged Netanyahu to limit Israeli actions in Lebanon to "surgical" strikes only and to avoid further escalation, according to an Axios report. During a visit to forces in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said troops are operating in accordance with government directives. "We have achieved everything that the political echelon laid out for us in relation to campaigns in Iran and Lebanon, and even more," he said.
Security Buffer and Deterrence Concerns
Israeli officials warned the current situation allows Hezbollah to regroup and continue posing a threat to forces on the ground. Jerusalem has urged the US to pressure Lebanon to act against Hezbollah in areas outside of the security buffer zone, dubbed by Israel a Forward Defense Line, which was established by the IDF in southern Lebanon earlier this month.
The restraint in Lebanon is widely seen in Israel as part of a broader effort to support US-led diplomatic efforts with Iran. Officials acknowledged the policy carries risks, including damage to Israeli deterrence and increased pressure on northern communities, as uncertainty remains over how long these restrictions will stay in place.
Ongoing Hostilities
South of the Litani River, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged near-daily fire in recent days, even as negotiations between Israel and Lebanon continue in New York. The continued attacks underscore the fragility of diplomatic efforts and the security challenges facing Israeli forces and civilian communities in the north.
Why This Matters:
Netanyahu's deadline reflects the tension between diplomatic engagement and security imperatives. Israeli officials' warnings about eroding deterrence highlight the cost of military restraint when adversaries continue attacks. The Forward Defense Line established by the IDF in southern Lebanon earlier this month represents a security buffer intended to protect northern communities, but its effectiveness depends on preventing Hezbollah from operating freely beyond it. The two- to three-week window ending in mid-May creates a clear decision point: either diplomacy produces tangible security improvements, or Israel pursues expanded military action despite American preferences for restraint. The situation tests whether negotiations can achieve what military pressure has not—a sustainable arrangement that prevents Hezbollah from threatening Israeli territory and forces. For northern Israeli communities enduring near-daily attacks, the timeline represents a finite period of continued vulnerability before their government potentially acts more decisively.