Netanyahu pushes Trump to impose 2-3 week deadline on Lebanon talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses phone call with President Donald Trump to press for the US to set a deadline for Lebanon talks, as IDF prepares to continue broad campaign against Hezbollah terrorists.

By World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Donald Trump to limit US-backed negotiations with Lebanon to another two to three weeks, as Israeli officials warn that continued restraint is allowing Hezbollah to regroup.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu spoke with Trump on Wednesday night and asked Washington to set a deadline for talks with the Lebanese government by mid-May.

Israel has told the Trump administration that if the negotiations fail to produce results within that time, Jerusalem wants approval to return to its “original plan” for expanded military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli officials say Hezbollah attacks on IDF troops and northern communities are eroding the chances of a diplomatic agreement and weakening Israeli deterrence.

The political echelon has meanwhile instructed the IDF to exercise restraint in Lebanon. According to Channel 12, the military is avoiding strikes deep inside Lebanon, and any action north of the Litani River now requires specific political approval.

The IDF’s top brass has warned that Israel’s current posture — responding to Hezbollah attacks rather than initiating — benefits the Iranian-backed terror groups, strengthens the group psychologically, gives it time to recover and increases the risk to Israeli troops operating in the field.

Trump has urged Netanyahu to avoid a broader escalation and keep Israeli action limited.

In an interview with Axios, Trump said, “I told Netanyahu he has got to do it more surgically. Not knock down buildings. He can’t do it. It is too terrible and makes Israel look bad.”

The restraint is widely seen in Israel as linked to Trump’s broader regional diplomacy, including efforts to advance talks with Iran and maintain momentum toward an Israel-Lebanon arrangement.

During a visit to southern Lebanon on Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said troops were acting according to 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,” Zamir said.

Israel has asked Washington to increase pressure on Beirut to act against Hezbollah outside the IDF’s southern Lebanon buffer zone, which Israel calls its Forward Defense Line.

South of the Litani, Israel and Hezbollah have continued near-daily exchanges of fire as negotiations continue.