Lebanese Army Officers Oppose Israeli Withdrawal Amid Hezbollah Fears

Lebanese army officers have expressed opposition to an immediate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in discussions with a senior American official. Their primary concern is that the Hezbollah terror organization will reassert control over areas vacated by Israeli forces. The American official, speaking to Kan News, indicated that the United States is actively mediating between both sides to achieve a future settlement, acknowledging that this process will require time.

This development comes amid Israeli dissatisfaction with the performance of the Lebanese army in designated "pilot zones" aimed at countering Hezbollah. This dissatisfaction has persisted for about six weeks since the program's launch. Consequently, Israel's security leadership has been deliberating the future of the Al-Tahir ridge, where isolated militants remain alongside the majority of the organization's operatives who have been neutralized. The decision is whether to maintain Israeli control or transfer it to the Lebanese army.

As direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are slated to resume next month, Israel has reportedly updated the United States on all recent developments in the region.