Israeli security officials are concerned that the Trump administration could order a withdrawal from Lebanon, while the army waits for political guidance on how to continue its operations there. The IDF is on high alert for the possibility that such an order could come from the White House, and forces are preparing to keep operating until it receives explicit instructions on Friday about the next steps in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the air force struck more than 10 targets across Lebanon today.
At the same time, Hezbollah claimed it had received assurances from Iran that Tehran would demand an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in its next round of talks with the United States. Hezbollah said, “Iran promised that no nuclear deal with the United States will be signed unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon.” Reuters, citing Hezbollah's media office, said such a withdrawal would be a result of continued talks between the countries, not a precondition for them.
The comments came as President Donald Trump sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with Qatar’s emir at the G7 summit in France. Trump said, “Israel has been fighting Hezbollah for too long and killing many people,” adding, “You don’t have to blow up a building every time you want to kill one person, which is what Netanyahu did, an excessive strike. He needs to be more responsible when it comes to Lebanon.” He also said Israel should have finished the Hezbollah fight quickly, and if it cannot, “al-Sharaa” from Syria will do it.
Trump also defended the Iran deal, saying it was entering a second phase that should be easier and insisting Iran would not get nuclear weapons. He said, “I never cared about regime change,” but added, “we probably achieved regime change, the whole first and second tier are destroyed.” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the end of the war must include “the end of the occupation,” and argued that any continued Israeli military attacks on Lebanon or continued occupation would violate the understanding. After an IDF strike in Beirut’s Dahieh earlier this week, Trump said he called Netanyahu and asked, “What the hell are you doing?” He later wrote on Truth that the Beirut attack should not have happened, especially so close to a peace deal with Iran.
Israeli officials were said to be stunned by the agreement, calling it “shocking,” and the formal signing is already set for Friday in Geneva. A report also said Netanyahu had a tense call with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance about the IDF presence in Lebanon. A senior U.S. official confirmed the deal does not require an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and said Israel will retain the right to self-defense against Hezbollah.
