The IDF says the issue of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon will be discussed next week during talks with the Lebanese side in Washington. Israel is calling on the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to prevent Lebanese civilians from approaching areas where IDF forces are operating.
The IDF confirmed on Thursday 13:10 Jerusalem time that the issue of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon will be on the agenda for the next round of talks with Lebanon, set to be held in Washington next week (Tuesday–Thursday, June 23–25). The military's statement, reported by defense correspondent Yossi Blumenthal, said Israel is also calling on the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to prevent Lebanese civilians from approaching areas where IDF forces remain deployed.
The confirmation follows weeks of stalled implementation of the November 2024 ceasefire understandings, which mandated a parallel Lebanese army deployment and Israeli withdrawal. Multiple reports in recent days pointed to rising US pressure on Israel to scale back its military presence in Lebanon, including warnings of potential arms embargo measures and direct requests from the Trump administration to reduce operations. On Wednesday (June 17, 18:15 Jerusalem) The Zioneer reported — citing the Lebanese channel LBCI — that the upcoming Washington round was expected to address the core issues of withdrawal, army deployment, refugee return, and reconstruction. Thursday's IDF statement formally confirms Israeli readiness to discuss the withdrawal timetable at those talks.
As The Zioneer reported on Saturday (June 13, 00:05 Jerusalem), the US is expected to allow the Lebanese army to gradually return to the area south of the Litani River alongside an Israeli withdrawal. Earlier this week (Monday, June 15, 20:14 Jerusalem) it was reported that Israel was asked by the Trump administration to scale back Lebanon operations, and on Wednesday (June 17, 12:31 Jerusalem) the US reportedly urged Israel to fully refrain from operations in Lebanon to preserve an emerging deal.
The precise scope of the withdrawal — whether partial or full — and the timeline remain unstated. Israel's call for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to keep civilians away from IDF positions reflects ongoing friction points as displaced residents attempt to return to southern villages while Israeli forces still hold ground.
4 developments
- DevelopingIDF maintains operations in southern Lebanon, military says
- StrongIsrael 'negotiating tenaciously' with US to keep forces in southern Lebanon, official says
- DevelopingMilitary analyst: IDF retains freedom of action in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal from occupied areas
- DevelopingIran says it will not accept Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake