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Amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to immediately lift all restrictions and delays on the supply of military equipment and ammunition to Israel following his inauguration, according to Israeli Channel 12 News.
This commitment from Trump’s team comes as Israel considers a 60-day ceasefire with Hezbollah, providing a window until Trump takes office to implement the promised changes.
Sources suggest that this assurance clarifies Israel’s willingness to temporarily pause military actions, with the understanding that support will be swiftly restored once Trump assumes office, Fox News reported, citing the Israel source.
Unnamed Israeli sources have confirmed the reports, the outlet said.
Currently, U.S. restrictions include an embargo on certain weapons shipments and limitations on various combat-related equipment, even if they don’t involve explosive ordnance. These restrictions have impacted Israel’s defense capabilities, especially as the military faces active fronts in both Lebanon and Gaza, necessitating strict control over ammunition and supplies, Fox notes.
Trump’s pledge to lift all military supply restrictions from his first day in office would enable Israel to replenish its stockpiles and ease the current constraints. With the 60-day cease-fire, Israel aims to temporarily suspend hostilities until the new administration takes office, allowing for the resumption of full military operations, if needed, without the existing limitations.
On Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft truce proposal to Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to halt the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, two political sources told Reuters, though the details of the proposal were not revealed.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are intensifying military pressure in Lebanon, focusing on the second line of villages to weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities while also conducting airstrikes in Syria and Beirut’s Dahiya district.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari commented on the truce negotiations, stating, “The IDF’s role is to clear out terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon and ensure that Hezbollah cannot threaten Israeli citizens from there. This is our duty, and we must create the conditions that enable the political echelon to take diplomatic action.”
Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, killing more than 1,300 people. Israel immediately retaliated and has since widened the war to include Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.
Democrats, meanwhile, have regularly attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a right-leaning leader, over his prosecution of the war, with some calling for him to be removed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson blasted Vice President Kamala Harris in July for skipping out on Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress, choosing instead to address the historically black Zeta Phi Beta sorority in Indiana instead.
Harris, who as VP also presides over the Senate, appeared to side with the far-left of her Democratic Party in boycotting a speech by the country’s most important ally in the Middle East, which drew the ire of Republicans and led some to compare her actions to siding with the terrorist organization Hamas.
Johnson shredded Harris for her decision during an appearance on the Fox Business Network with former Trump administration economist Larry Kudlow.
“Mr. Speaker. I know you’re very busy with the Netanyahu thing, which I thought was brilliant, and what did you take away from that? What were your key thoughts as you were listening to that speech?” Kudlow asked during a Wednesday show segment.
“Well, I agree with your analysis, Larry. I thought he hit a home run. I think he did exactly what he needed to do, and that is project strength on the part of Israel, commit to the return of hostages, both American and Israeli hostages, and clarify what the mission is there,” Johnson said.
“I was rather shocked Kamala Harris chose to boycott the speech today. She should be sitting next to me, and it was pretty shameful, and she will have to answer for that,” he added.
