Tel aviv: Israel will not withdraw from the 'security zone' in southern Lebanon as part of the anticipated understandings between the US and Iran, according to Israeli security sources. The public broadcaster KAN reported that the Israeli security establishment is preparing for possible instructions from the political leadership to halt the ground offensive in southern Lebanon in light of the emerging agreement between Washington and Tehran.
According to Anadolu Agency, Tel Aviv is also preparing to scale back its attacks deep inside Lebanese territory, concerned that such actions could endanger the US-Iran agreement. However, military operations will continue with a greater focus on the southern region. The Israeli army has stated that it will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military has conducted a deadly offensive in Lebanon since March 2, resulting in over 3,700 deaths, 11,600 injuries, and the displacement of more than 1.5 million people, as reported by Lebanese officials. The military has advanced over 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, establishing what Israel refers to as a 'security zone.'
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to convene a Security Cabinet meeting on Sunday to deliberate on the anticipated US-Iran agreement. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the meeting will assess the regional implications of the deal between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that a deal with Iran is expected to be signed on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating between the US and Iran, mentioned that the agreement could be finalized within the next 24 hours. Iran, however, indicated that the agreement might not be signed on Sunday but could be finalized in the coming days.
Tensions have been high in the region since the US and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran in late February, leading to Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.
