Netanyahu Receives US Backing to Confront Hezbollah

A decisive moment is taking shape on Israel’s northern border. After years of warnings, deadlines, and broken promises, Israel is signaling that patience has run out and this time, it is doing so with clear backing from Washington.

On Thursday, the Lebanese Armed Forces claimed they had completed the disarmament of southern Lebanon, except for areas still under Israel Defense Forces control. Israel immediately rejected the assertion, pointing to the clear terms of international agreements that require the full dismantling of Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

“The agreement clearly stipulates the complete disarmament of Hezbollah,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “This is essential for Israel’s security and for Lebanon’s future.” While acknowledging that limited Lebanese efforts may represent a starting point, Israeli officials emphasized that they fall far short of what is required.

At the heart of the dispute lies Hezbollah’s continued strength. Despite repeated commitments by Beirut, the terror organization has maintained its weapons stockpiles, rebuilt infrastructure damaged in earlier fighting, and continued to receive support from Iran. From Israel’s perspective, this is not a technical failure but a strategic one.

Behind the scenes, the stakes have risen sharply. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed senior ministers that U.S. President Donald Trump has given Israel a green light to proceed with a major military campaign against Hezbollah. The approval follows Lebanon’s failure to meet a December 31 deadline set by Washington to dismantle the terror group.

That deadline was not arbitrary. In September, under American pressure, Lebanon formally agreed to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025. The pledge was later reaffirmed as a cornerstone of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Israel, which led to Israel withdrawing from most of southern Lebanon, retaining only five strategic border outposts.

The legal framework is unambiguous. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 requires Lebanon to prevent armed groups from operating independently on its territory. For years, Israel has argued that the resolution exists mostly on paper, while Hezbollah entrenched itself deeper into Lebanese society, turning villages into weapons depots and civilian areas into launch zones.

The Trump administration repeatedly warned that failure to enforce the agreement would carry consequences. According to Israel’s national broadcaster, Netanyahu told ministers this week that those consequences are now imminent, with the United States approving an expanded Israeli air campaign that has been prepared for months.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued striking Hezbollah targets south of the Litani River. However, operations further north where Hezbollah’s strongest assets are concentrated, including the Beqaa Valley and Beirut’s Dahiya district have remained limited. That restraint may soon end.

Hezbollah appears to be bracing for impact. Reports indicate the group has moved heavy weaponry north of the Litani and sharply reduced its visible presence near the Israeli border. These steps suggest not compliance, but preparation an acknowledgment that Israel’s warnings are being taken seriously.

For Israel, the issue is not escalation for its own sake. It is about restoring security to communities that have lived under constant threat, enforcing international commitments that were ignored, and preventing Iran from maintaining a heavily armed proxy on Israel’s doorstep.

Israel has made its position clear: agreements matter, borders matter, and civilian populations cannot be held hostage by terror armies operating with impunity. With American support now firmly in place, Jerusalem is signaling that it is prepared to act decisively to defend its people and secure its future.

Israel’s strength lies not only in its military capabilities, but in its clarity of purpose and commitment to protecting life.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on Israel’s security and regional developments.