Israeli Officials Reaffirm Military Position Along Border
JERUSALEM: Israel will not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon despite provisions linked to the newly announced US-Iran agreement, according to Israeli officials cited on Monday.
A senior Israeli source said the agreement would not alter Israel’s security posture in southern Lebanon, even as reports suggested Tehran had sought the inclusion of Lebanon-related provisions in the broader understanding reached with Washington.
Meanwhile, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official stated that military operations in Lebanon would cease entirely if Hezbollah fully adheres to the existing ceasefire arrangements.
The comments came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the framework agreement between the United States and Iran included the immediate and permanent end of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.
However, Israeli authorities have yet to formally endorse that interpretation of the agreement.
Beirut Strike Conducted Before Deal Finalization
Hours before the US-Iran agreement was reportedly finalized, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered a military strike on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district following rocket fire allegedly launched toward Israeli territory.
In a joint statement, both leaders stressed that Israel would not tolerate attacks against its territory and would continue responding to security threats.
According to media reports, Israeli military officials informed US Central Command (CENTCOM) shortly before carrying out the operation.
Trump Criticizes Timing of Israeli Operation
Following the strike, US President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Netanyahu and later criticized the operation publicly.
Trump said the attack occurred at a sensitive moment when negotiations were nearing a breakthrough. While reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense, he argued that the threat involved did not justify military escalation during efforts to finalize a broader peace arrangement.
The latest developments highlight continuing differences over Lebanon’s role in the emerging US-Iran framework, even as regional leaders express optimism about reducing tensions across the Middle East.
Observers say the future implementation of the agreement may depend on how various parties interpret and apply its provisions in the coming weeks.
