A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel is conducting tough negotiations with the United States regarding its military presence in southern Lebanon, and that Jerusalem does not intend to withdraw from its positions. The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the northern border.
A senior Israeli official told Reuters on Thursday that Israel is engaged in tough negotiations with the United States over its military presence in southern Lebanon, and that Jerusalem does not intend to withdraw from its positions.
The remarks underscore persistent friction between Israel and Washington on this issue. As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday, a senior Israeli official told N12 that the IDF will not withdraw from Lebanon despite the emerging memorandum of understanding with the US, adding that 'difficult negotiations on this issue are ongoing with Washington.' The Reuters report provides additional on-record confirmation of the same stance.
The Lebanon-Israel track has seen repeated gaps between diplomatic signals and military posture. In recent weeks, US-mediated talks have touched on the terms of an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon under the November 2024 ceasefire framework, but Israel has consistently signaled it will maintain a security presence as long as Hezbollah's military capabilities are not fully addressed. The current negotiations appear focused on the scope and timeline of any redeployment, though no breakthrough has been publicly reported.
4 developments
- StrongIsrael insists no withdrawal from Lebanon under understandings with Iran
- DevelopingAl-Hadath: US pressures Israel for tangible progress in Lebanon talks
- StrongIsrael vows to press military campaign in Lebanon despite Iran's warnings
- DevelopingIDF maintains operations in southern Lebanon, military says
Source and signal
- Internal intake