Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
The reported clause is intended to halt military activity on several fronts, including Lebanon, as part of a broader effort to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran. Israeli officials said Netanyahu made clear that Israel would not accept any arrangement that restricts its ability to act against Hezbollah.
According to the officials, Netanyahu also told Trump that Israeli forces would remain in their current positions in Lebanon and continue operations aimed at countering threats from Hezbollah.
Israeli ministers were said to have backed Netanyahu's position during a Security Cabinet meeting, viewing the issue as a key national security interest.
The dispute centres on Israel's insistence that it must retain freedom of action against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon.
Israeli officials argue that military operations are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities near the border and to protect communities in northern Israel.
Senior officials described the Lebanon provision as a matter on which Israel would need to "stand firm" if asked to make withdrawals or limit its operations.
According to one official, the United States understands that Israel regards the issue as non-negotiable.
Israeli officials also said they believe Iran has chosen not to retaliate following a recent Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Tehran had previously threatened a response, but Israeli officials assessed that diplomatic efforts and pressure from Washington helped prevent further escalation, amid concerns that renewed hostilities could jeopardise the emerging agreement.
The issue prompted extensive discussion within the Security Cabinet over how Israel should respond if Iran were to launch future attacks.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly argued that any response should focus on Lebanon rather than Iran itself. According to officials familiar with the discussions, he said that if Iran attempted to link developments in Lebanon to events involving Iran, Israel should "match and raise".
Officials said Smotrich proposed warning residents in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley before carrying out strikes against Hezbollah targets if Iran attacked Israel.
Supporters of the approach argued that operations in Lebanon would allow Israel to maintain pressure on Hezbollah while avoiding direct action that could undermine ongoing US diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen also stressed the importance of deterrence while maintaining ties with Washington.
"We must not tear the rope with Trump, but the responses must be clear. If we respond, we must create deterrence," Cohen said.
Several ministers called for a stronger response. Minister Gila Gamliel said Israel should respond and "capture more territory from them", while Minister Orit Strock said Israel should impose a price that would make future attacks "not worthwhile".
Transportation Minister Miri Regev argued that Israel was "not a protectorate" and must "stop the ping-pong and get out of the equation".
In a post on X, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would not consider itself constrained by the agreement, declaring that "Trump's agreement does not bind us" and vowing to dismantle Hezbollah.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar wi...
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf...
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the str...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment