Lebanese officials view the upcoming round of direct negotiations with Israel as critical for a permanent ceasefire, focusing on IDF withdrawal and pilot zones, according to Saudi Al-Hadath. A senior Israeli official says Jerusalem is conducting 'stubborn negotiations' with the US over continued IDF deployment in a Security Zone extending 10 km into Lebanon. President Trump said he has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to exercise more restraint in Lebanon, stating he told Netanyahu 'you can do a little softer touch.'
The next round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks, expected to convene next week, is being framed by both sides as a pivotal moment for a permanent ceasefire arrangement. Saudi outlet Al-Hadath, citing Lebanese officials, reported that Beirut views the negotiations as critical and expects them to address the IDF's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and a timetable for proposed pilot zones. The officials also indicated that a reported U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding includes a ceasefire-related provision that could increase pressure on Israel to gradually withdraw.
On the Israeli side, a senior official close to Prime Minister Netanyahu told Reuters that Israel is conducting 'stubborn negotiations' with the United States over the continued deployment of forces in southern Lebanon. The IDF says it remains deployed in a Security Zone extending approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory for operational reasons and will continue operating there to remove threats and protect northern communities. The military called on the Lebanese Army to coordinate with the IDF and avoid approaching the zone.
President Trump added a new dimension to the diplomatic dynamic, telling reporters he encouraged Netanyahu to adopt a 'softer touch' in Lebanon. 'I said, you can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it,' Trump said, while praising Netanyahu and reiterating the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. The remarks follow a series of tense exchanges between the two leaders regarding the scope of Israeli operations in Lebanon over the past weeks, as The Zioneer previously reported.
What remains open: whether the U.S.-Iran MOU actually includes a binding Lebanon clause, and whether the Lebanese Army and state can—and will—fully confine weapons to the state as Beirut has pledged.
- StrongNetanyahu tells Trump southern Lebanon strikes 'light casualties' so far, expects Hezbollah to hold fire
- StrongTrump: Netanyahu 'great guy,' told him to be 'gentler' with Lebanon — Hezbollah drone intercepted as he speaks
- ConfirmedIsraeli officials fear Trump may seek to limit IDF operations in Lebanon
- DevelopingIsrael reportedly asked by Trump administration to scale back Lebanon operations
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake