Israel's dilemma in Lebanon: Escalate or wait for Washington

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refrained from bringing a proposed ceasefire agreement before the Israeli cabinet for approval following Hezbollah's rejection of the deal.

As Hezbollah maintained rocket and drone attacks targeting northern Israeli communities, Israel stepped up strikes against what it described as Hezbollah positions and expanded its ground operations in South Lebanon, with military efforts increasingly focused on advancing beyond the Litani River.

At the same time, reports from within Israel indicated that military leaders cautioned against launching a large-scale offensive in Lebanon due to pressure from the United States. Netanyahu is said to have assured U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel would not proceed with such an operation without further coordination.

The debate between military and political priorities surfaced during a recent cabinet meeting, where a new slogan reportedly emerged in discussions over U.S. pressure and battlefield considerations: "Our soldiers are more important than Trump."

While political negotiations remain deadlocked, the Israeli military continues to reinforce troop deployments in northern towns and along the Lebanese border. It has also intensified military exercises in preparation for a potential future operation should Washington ultimately approve Israeli plans regarding Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Israel's home front remains on heightened alert as security concerns persist amid ongoing cross-border hostilities and uncertainty over the prospects for a broader ceasefire.