Media: Israel seeks deadline for US-Lebanon negotiations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to limit the duration of ongoing political negotiations with Lebanon, raising concerns over continued hostilities involving Hezbollah.

According to a report by Channel 12, Netanyahu discussed the issue with Trump on Wednesday evening, April 29, presenting what was described as an urgent Israeli request to constrain the timeframe of diplomatic engagement.

Israel is seeking to cap the negotiations between the United States and the Lebanese government at two to three weeks, with a proposed deadline set for mid-May.

The report indicates that Israel’s position is driven by ongoing attacks by Hezbollah targeting the Israeli military and northern areas of the country. Israeli officials assess that such attacks “undermine the chances of reaching an agreement in the negotiations and weaken Israel’s deterrence capability.”

Israeli authorities also signalled to Washington that if the talks fail to produce results within the proposed timeframe, Israel would seek approval to “return to the original plan,” referring to an expansion of military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The report adds that Israel believes its current posture of restraint is allowing the group to regroup.

“The question arises: will the price Israel is currently paying for American interests in relations with the Iranians pay off for the country in the future?” the article concludes.

By Tamilla Hasanova