▲ Israeli military tanks at the Lebanon-Israel border
Israel is engaged in negotiations with the United States to maintain its ground troop presence in southern Lebanon, Reuters reported, citing Israeli officials including aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A senior Israeli official stated, "Israel is conducting 'stubborn' negotiations with the U.S. government regarding the maintenance of its troop presence in southern Lebanon."
The official further emphasized, "Israel will not back down from its existing position, which includes maintaining troops in the area south of the Litani River in Lebanon."
Another Israeli official explained, "The outcome of the negotiations ultimately depends on the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump," adding, "The key is whether President Trump will force the issue, given concerns over the repercussions of Israel failing to comply with the terms of the interim agreement."
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding these remarks from officials.
The statements from Israeli officials came one day after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a ceasefire that includes guarantees for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Israel invaded southern Lebanon on March 2 after the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel to support its ally, Iran.
Since then, Israel has carried out massive, destructive airstrikes across Lebanon with the stated goal of ousting Hezbollah, while continuously expanding its ground front in southern Lebanon.
Israel defines the occupied territories in Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, and Syria, where Hezbollah operates, as a "buffer zone" to contain hostile forces.
Even after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, which includes a halt to hostilities in Lebanon, Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected demands from Iran and others to withdraw from the region, stating that Israel will maintain the necessary troop presence in these occupied areas.
In contrast, Iran is emphasizing that the continued presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon is a clear violation of the terms of the memorandum of understanding.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned in an interview with the pro-Hezbollah Lebanese media outlet Al-Akhbar, "If Israel continues to remain in southern Lebanon, it would mean the nullification of the memorandum of understanding that Iran signed with the U.S."
He particularly emphasized, "The second phase of negotiations to reach a final agreement is set to begin soon," adding, "This final agreement can only be achieved when the memorandum of understanding is fully implemented."
Baghaei further added, "In our view, the full implementation of the memorandum means a complete cessation of attacks and an end to the occupation."
He drew a firm line by stating, "As long as parts of Lebanese territory remain under the occupation of the Zionist regime (Israel), we cannot discuss the end of the war," and argued, "As long as the occupation continues, the war is essentially not over and can be considered ongoing."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.