Netanyahu-Trump talks add diplomatic dimension as Israel bogs down in Lebanon conflict

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

Israel is becoming bogged down in a war of attrition and returning to the Lebanese quagmire, while operating under U.S. restrictions that prevent it from expanding operations toward Beirut.

This is the initial assessment reached by the security establishment regarding developments on the Lebanese front, following the killing and wounding of more than 50 soldiers there within a month.

Faced with these challenges, officers said forces deployed in southern Lebanon are resorting to what they describe as “venting anger,” involving widespread destruction of Lebanese villages north of the Litani River, even when there is no operational objective or military benefit. 

Meanwhile, the army has also designated the Bekaa region as a target area.

Intense debate over the war in Lebanon reached its peak on Wednesday after it emerged that mesh screens placed on military vehicles and on the windows of Lebanese homes where soldiers were taking cover had failed to protect them from Hezbollah drones.

While operations continue in several areas of southern Lebanon, with the army redeploying three divisions, security officials and experts have warned of implications from developments in the Iran file for the Lebanese front, following what was described as a difficult conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Netanyahu sought to push Washington to resume strikes on Iran.