Israel falls in line with Trump for now, but plans strikes on Hamas and Hezbollah

Israeli accepts ceasefires in bid to avoid confrontation with White House, while quietly preparing for possible resumption of hostilities in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli leaders are publicly aligning themselves with President Donald Trump’s stand on Iran and Lebanon for the time being, but senior officials are still waiting for an opportunity to renew military action against Hamas and Hezbollah, according to a report published Monday.

The report, which was published by Israel Hayom, said that Israel’s security cabinet met on Monday ahead of Memorial Day to discuss possible scenarios, but ministers did not reach a single clear conclusion.

Instead, officials are watching Trump closely as the United States pushes for a broader arrangement involving the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices and Iran’s nuclear program.

Israeli officials also remain uncertain about whether the US-Iran talks will produce a deal or collapse into another round of war.

“The Iranians are conducting tough negotiations,” one Israeli minister was quoted as saying. “If they don’t stretch the rope, they will reach a deal.”

At the same time, Israel is preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict.

The report said the IDF is refreshing target banks and readying military equipment in case the region slides back into war in the coming days.

“We think and believe that Trump will not make significant concessions in the coming days either and will continue to insist on the nuclear issue,” a diplomatic source said.

The developments in the Iran talks are also affecting Israeli planning regarding Lebanon.

Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has full cabinet backing for accepting a ceasefire in Lebanon at Trump’s request, ministers are still pressing for Hezbollah’s destruction.

“We will return to strike Hezbollah,” a diplomatic source said. “The only question is timing.”

According to the report, ministers see no room for a public clash with Trump after the president acted alongside Israel against Iran.

Still, demands to eliminate both Hezbollah and Hamas remain on the cabinet’s agenda and are only being delayed until conditions are more favorable.

The same logic is shaping debate over Gaza.

The report said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s calls to conquer the Strip over Hamas’s refusal to disarm are not unusual within the cabinet, and that similar views are also being expressed by Likud ministers.

Their position, according to the report, is that if Gaza is not demilitarized, the IDF will eventually have to complete the mission and take control of the territory.

For now, the question in both Gaza and Lebanon is not whether some ministers want further military action, but when Netanyahu might be able to secure Trump’s backing for it.