Israel has received U.S. approval to expand its military campaign against Hezbollah in the coming days, although Washington warned against strikes in Beirut out of concern they could jeopardize ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, according to multiple Hebrew media reports citing Israeli officials.

The reports came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following a security cabinet meeting focused on the escalating confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to Israel’s Channel 12, U.S. Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee briefed the White House overnight on Israel’s plans to intensify operations in Lebanon. The American response, the report said, was a warning “not to bring down buildings in Beirut,” amid fears that a major escalation in the Lebanese capital could undermine ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran over a potential agreement.

At the same time, a senior Israeli official quoted by the network said Israel had effectively received approval to conduct targeted assassinations in Beirut “if an operational opportunity presents itself.”

Senior Israeli officials also told Channel 13 that Israel currently enjoys broad operational freedom in southern Lebanon, though its room for action in Beirut remains more restricted.

“We do not want to be perceived as undermining President Donald Trump’s agreement with Iran,” one official said, according to the report.

Israeli broadcaster Kan quoted a security official as warning that limiting military operations to southern Lebanon would not be enough to halt Hezbollah’s increasingly frequent explosive drone attacks.

“If operations remain confined to southern Lebanon, the Israeli military will hurt Hezbollah, but it will not stop the explosive drones,” the official said.

Kan also cited a senior Israeli military official expressing frustration over what he described as operational constraints imposed by understandings with Washington and the Lebanese government.

“We need to do much more,” the official said. “Israeli sovereignty is being violated every day. The military is exercising significant restraint because we are operating under understandings with the United States and the Lebanese government. We cannot accept the current reality without the ability to respond.”

The reports emerged after Netanyahu chaired a full security cabinet session following earlier consultations with Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

According to remarks released by his office, Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting that Israel was intensifying its military operations in Lebanon in response to a recent surge in Hezbollah drone attacks targeting troops and communities in northern Israel.

“We are intensifying our operations in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said. “The military is operating with significant forces on the ground and taking control of strategically dominant positions. We are reinforcing the security buffer zone in order to protect the communities of northern Israel.”

He added that Israel was also investing heavily in “creative and innovative solutions” to counter explosive drones used by Hezbollah.