Quds Force Chief Threatens Israel as Lebanon Talks Enter Final Day

Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani issued a direct threat to Israel on Thursday, the final day of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. He said, “If Israel does not withdraw of its own accord from southern Lebanon today, it will have to leave tomorrow defeated.”

His remarks came amid a Reuters report, citing a senior U.S. State Department official, that the IDF had partially pulled back from part of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Both Israel and Lebanon quickly denied the claim. A senior Lebanese source said Beirut was unaware of any Israeli withdrawal from the area, while Israeli political and military officials also rejected the report.

The American official said the Lebanese Army must now move into the evacuated area and clear weapons and terror infrastructure. He described the alleged Israeli step as “a significant show of goodwill” toward Lebanon’s legitimate government, but did not specify the size or exact location of any withdrawal. The report noted that Israel had already been discussing a possible partial pullback, but that no such move had actually been implemented.

Separately, N12 reported that Iran is making a direct effort to send new fighters to Hezbollah in Lebanon, after the group suffered heavy losses in manpower, command ranks, and among its operatives during fighting with the IDF. Recruitment ads posted in Tehran reportedly offer a monthly salary of $1,000, far above Iran’s roughly $140 minimum wage, and target Basij members, ideologically motivated volunteers, and low-income youths. Applicants must show physical fitness, deep religious commitment, courage, and discipline.