US ends 'unrestricted' operations authorization for Israel in Lebanon

The United States has informed Israel that prior authorization permitting unrestricted military operations in Lebanon has expired, Channel 13 reported Monday, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official who said Washington is now imposing constraints on Tel Aviv across multiple theaters.

Restrictions imposed

According to the Israeli broadcaster, the message delivered in recent weeks stated that "the previous authorization for unrestricted action in Lebanon had expired." The channel reported that US President Donald Trump "is imposing restrictions on Israel, not only in Lebanon but also in other arenas," contradicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that Israeli forces in southern Lebanon "have complete freedom of action."

The Israeli political leadership has subsequently issued formal directives to the military delineating permissible and prohibited zones, according to the outlet. "These directives prohibit operations in areas such as the capital, Beirut, and the Tyre district in southern Lebanon," Channel 13 added, noting that the constraints represent a significant shift in American policy toward the occupation.

Strategic divergence

The Israeli daily Maariv reported earlier Monday that Washington and Tel Aviv hold markedly different assessments of the situation in southern Lebanon. While the United States views the territory within a broader regional framework encompassing the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices, and the Iranian nuclear issue, Israel maintains that any premature withdrawal would signal a "sign of weakness" and reward Hezbollah.

Israel's military offensive in Lebanon has killed more than 4,000 people and injured over 12,000 others since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. The occupation has displaced more than 1 million residents, with Israeli forces continuing to hold areas in southern Lebanon seized during the 2023–2024 war alongside territories occupied for decades.