Trump is ‘stopping Israel’ from fighting Hezbollah, says senior Israeli official

Senior Israeli official laments the IDF is hemmed in by American pressure and inability to retreat in the face of Hezbollah attacks.

By World Israel News Staff

A senior Israeli official who wanted to remain anonymous has accused President Donald Trump of limiting Israel’s military response in Gaza, warning that Hamas could adopt tactics used by Hezbollah if the conflict remains constrained.

Speaking to Israel Hayom, the official said Washington’s push to avoid escalation is holding the IDF back, as Israel faces growing concern that Hamas may emulate Hezbollah’s recent battlefield adaptations, including the use of explosive drones and decentralized attacks.

American pressure on the IDF not to engage in large-scale operations in Lebanon for the time being has left Israel’s war against Hezbollah in limbo, with the Israeli military unable to either withdraw or move forward, the official said.

“We have not been this embarrassed in a long time. We are caught in a strategic trap. On the one hand, we cannot stop and withdraw from southern Lebanon, because that would be an admission of defeat. On the other hand, we cannot advance or take the initiative, because Trump is stopping us.”

The warning comes as Israeli defense officials monitor developments in the north, where Hezbollah has continued to launch rockets and drones at Israeli forces despite a US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon.

Israeli officials believe Hamas is closely studying those tactics, raising fears that similar methods could be deployed in Gaza if fighting resumes at full intensity. According to the report, officials said the entire region is watching Hezbollah’s operational model, particularly its ability to sustain pressure despite heavy Israeli strikes.

In particular, Israel is concerned by Hezbollah’s growing use of drones that rely on fiber-optic connections, thus enabling them to evade Israeli electronic warfare systems.

The IDF fears it is only a matter of time before Hamas acquires fiber-optic drone systems, which could also potentially be used by terrorists in Judea and Samaria.

The comments highlight growing tension between Israel and the United States over the pace and scope of military operations. Washington has sought to limit escalation across multiple fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon, amid broader regional instability tied to the conflict with Iran and its allies.

Hezbollah has publicly refused to disarm despite international pressure, reinforcing Israeli concerns that militant groups backed by Iran are adopting a long-term strategy of sustained, low-intensity conflict rather than decisive engagements.

Israeli officials now fear that Hamas could move in a similar direction, shifting away from conventional fighting toward prolonged attritional tactics that complicate Israeli military objectives.

The concerns come as ceasefire arrangements remain fragile and sporadic clashes continue across the region. Israeli leaders have repeatedly warned that failure to neutralize militant capabilities could lead to repeated rounds of fighting rather than a decisive end to hostilities.