Trump To Lift All U.S. Military Restrictions On Israel Day One: Report
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to immediately lift all restrictions on the supply of military equipment and ammunition to Israel once he takes office, according to a report by Israeli Channel 12 News. This commitment comes as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel reportedly considering a 60-day ceasefire to bridge the period until Trump’s inauguration.
Israeli sources, as reported by Fox News, suggest that this assurance has influenced Israel’s willingness to temporarily halt military actions, anticipating full U.S. support once the new administration begins. Currently, the U.S. imposes restrictions on certain arms shipments and combat-related equipment, even non-explosive ordnance, which have hampered Israel's operational capabilities amid simultaneous conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Trump’s pledge to lift these restrictions on his first day in office is seen as a critical move for Israel to replenish its stockpiles and maintain its military readiness. The 60-day truce, if agreed upon, could create a tactical pause, enabling Israel to resume operations without current limitations after Trump’s inauguration.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their campaign against Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon, while conducting airstrikes in Syria and Beirut’s Dahiya district. Brigadier General Daniel Hagari emphasized the military’s focus on dismantling Hezbollah’s ability to pose threats to Israeli citizens.
In diplomatic efforts, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon presented a draft truce proposal to Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, though details remain undisclosed. These developments follow the deadly surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023, which claimed over 1,300 lives and led to Israel broadening the conflict to target Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and Syria.
Amid these tensions, political divisions in the U.S. have surfaced. Some Democrats have criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while others, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have faced backlash for perceived lack of support for Israel. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Harris’s decision to skip Netanyahu’s address to Congress, accusing her of aligning with far-left factions within the Democratic Party.
Johnson praised Netanyahu’s speech, stating that it projected strength, reinforced the mission to retrieve hostages, and reaffirmed Israel's resolve. He called Harris’s absence “shameful,” adding that she would need to answer for her actions.