Netanyahu pushes two-three week deadline for Lebanon talks

Key Points:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US President Donald Trump to limit Lebanon negotiations to a two- to three-week window ending in mid-May, warning that failure to reach an agreement would lead Israel to seek approval for expanded military action against Hezbollah.
• Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to postpone nuclear talks until the war ends, focusing instead on resolving disputes around the Strait of Hormuz, while urging Netanyahu to restrict Israeli actions in Lebanon to "surgical" strikes to avoid escalation.
• Israeli officials expressed concern that ongoing Hezbollah attacks and IDF restraint in Lebanon are allowing Hezbollah to regroup, undermining Israel's deterrence and threatening northern communities.
• The IDF is currently avoiding strikes north of the Litani River and responding mainly to attacks, following government instructions to exercise restraint as part of supporting US-led diplomatic efforts with Iran.
• Jerusalem has called on the US to pressure Lebanon to act against Hezbollah beyond the established Forward Defense Line in southern Lebanon, balancing military caution with diplomatic strategy despite risks to Israeli security.