Israeli officials are reeling from profound disappointment today following the US-brokered understanding with Iran regarding Lebanon, with analysts warning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staring down his second greatest strategic failure surpassed only by the devastating October 7, 2023, attacks.
In a sharp assessment published by Haaretz, military analyst Amos Harel argues that the emerging accord delivers only a fraction of the “absolute victory” Netanyahu repeatedly vowed to the public. Harel contends that the ongoing campaign against Hamas has failed to dismantle the terror group, while the shifting dynamics with Iran present an even grimmer outlook from Israel’s security perspective. Concluding the current conflict under these terms, he warns, holds perilous implications for the nation’s future.
Trump Seeks Withdrawal as Agreement Falls Short
Harel points to President Donald Trump’s active pursuit of a US military withdrawal from the region as a key catalyst, asserting that the final agreement falls dramatically short of the high expectations Netanyahu had aggressively cultivated. The analyst cautions that friction between Netanyahu and Trump is likely to widen and deepen in the coming period, potentially spilling over to exacerbate tensions on Israel’s northern front as well.
Political Fallout and Humiliation
These assessments arrive amidst a torrent of domestic criticism leveled at Netanyahu for his wartime leadership. Israeli media on Tuesday painted a picture of national dismay, with officials privately conceding that Washington has effectively “capitulated to Iran’s demands” regarding Lebanon a move widely interpreted in Jerusalem as a diplomatic humiliation for the premier, exposing profound rifts in the strategic alliance.
Source: Israeli media (edited by Al-Manar)