A senior Israeli official tells Channel 12 that the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon at this stage, despite the emerging memorandum of understanding, and says Israel is conducting tough negotiations with the U.S. on the matter.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 on Thursday morning that the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon at this stage, despite the memorandum of understanding being discussed between the United States and Iran. The official characterized the ongoing negotiations with Washington as 'tough', emphasizing that Jerusalem is not prepared to cede its military positions in southern Lebanon as part of any emerging framework.
The clarification comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity around the U.S.-Iran track. As The Zioneer reported Thursday at 10:55, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that Jerusalem is conducting tough negotiations with the U.S. regarding its presence in southern Lebanon, with no intention to withdraw. Monday saw multiple reports on the emerging deal's Lebanon clause: Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post that Israel will not leave Lebanon but won't strike if the ceasefire holds, while military sources confirmed the IDF continued striking targets in the south despite agreement announcements. A senior US official told an Israeli outlet Saturday that Washington would not demand an Israeli withdrawal for at least 60 days.
Behind the scenes, the core dispute remains whether the IDF would be required to withdraw from all security positions in Lebanon, a partial buffer zone, or whether Israel would retain the right to operate against imminent threats and Hezbollah buildup south of the Litani River — a question that no version of the framework has yet resolved on the record.
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