Israel and Lebanon Hold Talks on US Plan for Southern Lebanon Withdrawal
Proposal would see Lebanese Army assume control of selected areas while Israel retains border security buffer
Jerusalem/Beirut: Israel and Lebanon are discussing a United States-backed proposal that could pave the way for a partial Israeli military withdrawal from areas of southern Lebanon captured during the conflict with Hezbollah, according to Israeli and Lebanese officials cited by Reuters.
The proposal is currently being examined as a pilot project during a new round of negotiations that began in Washington on Tuesday. The initiative seeks to facilitate the transfer of selected territories from Israeli control to the Lebanese Armed Forces while preventing Hezbollah from re-establishing a military presence near the border.
According to Israeli officials, the plan would allow Lebanese troops to assume responsibility for security in the transferred areas after undergoing US-led training and vetting to ensure they have no links to the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Despite the proposed handover, Israel would continue maintaining forces within a security buffer zone along the border, arguing that a continued military presence is necessary to safeguard communities in northern Israel from potential cross-border attacks.
The latest negotiations follow months of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated after the Lebanese militant group launched attacks in support of Iran during the recent confrontation involving Tehran, Israel and the United States.
Although a ceasefire has largely held since Sunday, Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon, where they established what Israeli officials describe as a defensive security zone.
Hezbollah has rejected the proposed arrangement, underscoring the political and security challenges surrounding any long-term settlement along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.
The discussions also come amid broader diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran. Last week's interim understanding between the United States and Iran called for an immediate and lasting cessation of military operations by both countries and their regional allies, including activities linked to the Lebanon front. The agreement also reaffirmed support for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Officials believe the outcome of the Washington negotiations could play a significant role in shaping future security arrangements along the Israel-Lebanon border, determining both the pace of any Israeli withdrawal and the framework for maintaining stability in southern Lebanon.
