Israel is conducting tough negotiations with the United States over the IDF's continued presence in southern Lebanon, according to an official cited by Reuters. The source said Israel has no intention of giving up its positions. The talks come after days of back-and-forth reports about a possible memorandum of understanding on the matter.
A senior Israeli official confirmed to Reuters that Israel is engaged in intensive negotiations with the United States over the IDF's military posture in southern Lebanon, pushing back against any suggestion of an imminent withdrawal. The official stated flatly that Israel has no intention of retreating from its positions.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday (10:52 Jerusalem), a senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that no IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon is expected at this stage, despite a potential memorandum of understanding. The new Reuters report corroborates that stance with an on-record attribution, hardening the thread's core claim from an anonymous leak to a named source.
The negotiations take place amid a backdrop of multiple, often contradictory, signals. Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported on June 13 that Washington is pressing Israel for 'tangible breakthroughs' in the talks with Lebanon. Iran has also weighed in, with a member of its negotiating team stating on June 11 that Tehran would not accept Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon. The IDF has continued operations in the area throughout this period, as reported by the military on June 9 and again on June 15.
What remains unclear is the precise framework under discussion—whether the talks concern a bilateral US-Israel understanding, a trilateral arrangement including Lebanon, or a broader regional deal tied to discussions with Iran. The official's language suggests a firm Israeli red line on the ground, but the diplomatic outcome is still open.
5 developments
- StrongIsrael insists no withdrawal from Lebanon under understandings with Iran
- DevelopingIran says it will not accept Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingReport: US trying to persuade Iran with offer tying withdrawal to de-escalation
- DevelopingIsrael seeks to fast-track Lebanon agreement before full US-Iran deal is finalized
Source and signal
- Internal intake