Brig. Gen. (res.) Harel Knafo assessed that Lebanon could become a breaking point between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, but only if Trump demands a clear withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Knafo warned that making such a demand would create a bigger problem for the US president. The comments were reported by Channel 14.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Harel Knafo, a former senior IDF officer and reserve general, said Thursday that the Lebanon front could become a point of rupture between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Speaking to Channel 14, Knafo framed the caveat clearly: the rift would only materialize if Trump demands a full, unequivocal Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon — a step Knafo argued Trump would regret. "If he does that, he will get himself into a bigger problem," Knafo said. The remarks come against the backdrop of longstanding friction between the two leaders over Israel's military operations in Lebanon. As The Zioneer has previously reported, Trump has urged Netanyahu to be 'gentler' in Lebanon, warned that Israel could be 'left alone' against Iran if the war escalates, and described a 'small disagreement' over tactics. Most recently, on Tuesday, Netanyahu told Trump the latest strikes in southern Lebanon caused 'light casualties' and that he expects no Hezbollah response. Knafo's analysis, sourced to a single Channel 14 report, reflects an assessment by a retired officer rather than an official policy statement.
- DevelopingCommentator urges Netanyahu to tell Trump Israel will withdraw from Lebanon 'at the right time'
- DevelopingNetanyahu proposes to Trump a 'significant force thinning' in Lebanon, not full withdrawal
- StrongIsraeli fears: Trump pressure on Netanyahu over south Lebanon withdrawal to persist after Iran MOU
- DevelopingTrump presses Netanyahu to withdraw from Lebanon by Friday
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