Senior Officer Says Lebanon Agrees to IDF Presence Amid Ongoing Negotiations

As negotiations between Jerusalem and Beirut continue in Rome, a senior Israeli officer told Channel 13 on Friday that Lebanon's government has effectively agreed to the presence of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on its territory, calling it a dramatic development. The officer added that there is potential for real change in Lebanon in the medium term. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues efforts to rearm, hoping for an agreement between Iran and the United States that would release billions to Tehran, enabling about one billion dollars annually to be funneled to the terrorist group's budget.

At the same time, the IDF has criticized the Lebanese army for insufficiently preventing Hezbollah's attempts to smuggle weapons across the Syria-Lebanon border. A Lebanese official speaking to Reuters revealed that Israel and Lebanon have agreed on several countries to send inspectors to oversee Hezbollah's disarmament, though the official declined to name the countries. Another Lebanese diplomat disclosed that Israel and the U.S. vetoed France's participation.

In the context of military cooperation attempts, the Lebanese army reported earlier on Friday that a soldier was lightly injured during an IDF strike on the southern village of Mansouri, where the soldier was working with a bulldozer to clear roads and debris. Additional strikes were reported in the area. Following a serious incident on Wednesday in Lebanon, where retired Major Harel Birnstok and retired Staff Sergeant Tamir Vaknin were killed, IDF sources told Channel 13 that the prevailing assessment is that the explosion was caused by an old Hezbollah-planted explosive device laid before the ceasefire, not an Israeli munition. The IDF continues to investigate the timing of the device's placement.

The two fallen soldiers were buried yesterday, with Major Birnstok laid to rest at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery and Staff Sergeant Vaknin at the military cemetery in Eilat. Vaknin's father mourned his son as a beloved hero who always gave love and cared deeply for his comrades. Birnstok's widow, Elia, asked that he be remembered for his infectious smile and joyful spirit that endeared him to everyone.