Israel Fears US Pressure Could Force Unilateral Withdrawal From Lebanon and Syria

Israel's military has recently captured the Bofor Ridge and destroyed underground Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Despite these gains, the Israeli security establishment is increasingly concerned about mounting international pressure, particularly from the United States, to implement a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon before fully dismantling Hezbollah's weapons and terror infrastructure. This concern intensified after a recent meeting between the Lebanese president and US President Donald Trump at the White House, which Israeli officials interpret as a signal that Washington may push for an accelerated political arrangement that could compromise Israel's security objectives in Lebanon.

The Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reportedly resisting these pressures, with officials stating Israel does not intend to withdraw unilaterally. However, security sources warn that if Netanyahu fails to mitigate US demands regarding Lebanon, the next phase could involve similar pressure to withdraw from Syria. This scenario adds to existing worries about parallel developments in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have continued operations targeting Hezbollah terror infrastructure at over ten locations in southern Lebanon, including areas near Mis al-Jabal, Bint Jbeil, Tabani, Rashaf, al-Qantara, and Vitron. The Israeli Air Force conducted strikes near Marj Ayun south of the Litani River to neutralize immediate threats to Israeli forces. Additionally, artillery fire was reported against suspicious activity near Shama, close to the UNIFIL western sector headquarters, in the Tyre district about six kilometers from the Israeli border, near Mis al-Jabal opposite the Israeli communities of Avivim and Bar'am Forest in northern Israel.