A senior Israeli official tells Channel 13 that Washington has signaled its unlimited credit for Israeli operations in Lebanon has ended. The New York Times reports that Israel has instructed its forces to avoid offensive operations and use force only in self-defense or with high-level approval. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the IDF will not withdraw from Lebanon, while President Trump said he will "deal with it quickly." Lebanese media reported one killed and two wounded by Israeli machine-gun fire near Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
The Biden administration is tightening constraints on Israeli military operations in Lebanon, according to a senior Israeli official cited by Channel 13. The official said Washington's message was that its 'unlimited credit' for IDF operations in Lebanon 'has run out.' The New York Times reported that Israel has instructed its forces in Lebanon to cease offensive operations and only use force in self-defense or with high-level approval, a restriction that directly limits operational scope in southern Lebanon.
These developments come amid rapidly building diplomatic pressure. Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel declared that Lebanon will not coexist with Hezbollah. Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, praising Syrian President al-Sharaa's position. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei claimed that U.S. commitments to stop the war in Lebanon are part of an MOU, calling for an end to what he termed Israel's 'illegal actions.'
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the IDF will not withdraw from Lebanon. President Trump, responding to questions on the matter, said 'We'll deal with it quickly, I solve problems fast, even with Netanyahu.' Separately, Netanyahu also said Israel must build domestic defense production to reduce dependence on foreign arms, a comment tied to the broader tensions over U.S. arms policy.
On the ground in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's National News Agency reported that one person was killed and two wounded by Israeli machine-gun fire near a bulldozer clearing a road in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The Zioneer's prior coverage (June 18, June 19) has tracked U.S. pressure on Israel's Lebanon policy, with Trump urging a 'softer touch' and Israeli officials warning that pressure would intensify after the Iran MOU.
- DevelopingNetanyahu acknowledges Israel's operational constraints in southern Lebanon
- ConfirmedSenior Israeli official warns: If Hezbollah attacks again, Israel will strike with full force
- StrongNetanyahu: IDF to stay in southern Lebanon as long as needed; 300 Hezbollah targets struck in two days
- ConfirmedIsraeli officials fear Trump may seek to limit IDF operations in Lebanon
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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