Israel Braces to Slow Its Lebanon Offensive Amid Emerging U.S.-Iran Deal

The Israeli military is preparing for the possibility that the political leadership will order a halt to the ground advance in southern Lebanon, as the United States and Iran move toward a deal, according to a Saturday report by Kan News. Israeli officials are also considering reducing strikes deep inside Lebanon so as not to jeopardize the emerging agreement. At the same time, security officials told Kan that the IDF will not withdraw from the security buffer zone under the Iran deal, and that issue is expected to be discussed directly with the Lebanese in negotiations in the United States in about a week and a half.

In recent days, fighters from the IDF’s 36th Division have continued moving north in southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported earlier on Saturday that Israeli forces had reached the outskirts of Nabatieh, the largest city in the area, and were positioned on the Ali Taher ridge, about two kilometers north of the Beaufort Castle area. Last week, the IDF said there was great importance in taking advantage of the opportunity to reach Nabatieh, which it described as strategically significant for Hezbollah because Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Quds Force infrastructure had been built there over the years.

Kan also reported on Friday that the political echelon had instructed the IDF to avoid actions that could harm the emerging U.S.-Iran understanding. One source familiar with the matter said the IDF is still carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon, but they are limited and focused. The military also remains restricted in Beirut.

According to sources, Hezbollah has likewise instructed its operatives not to fire at northern Israeli communities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded to the report by calling it "fake news."