Despite a heated phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night, prior to the announcement of an initial or framework agreement between the United States and Iran, informed sources revealed that Netanyahu informed Trump that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon.
Sources reported on Monday that Tel Aviv "does not consider itself bound by the clause related to Lebanon within the agreement," as reported by Israeli media.
Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli army will continue to station itself at its current positions within Lebanese territories.
"Thwarting Hezbollah Threats"
Furthermore, the army "will continue to work on thwarting threats attributed to Hezbollah, including targeting military infrastructure and responding to any attacks targeting Israel."
Additionally, sources mentioned that the Israeli Ministerial Security Cabinet supports Netanyahu's stance on his Lebanon policy.
This information follows reports that several U.S. sources confirmed Trump "rebuked" Netanyahu yesterday, using profane language, following Israel's bombing of Beirut’s southern suburbs, just hours before the announcement of a preliminary agreement between Tehran and Washington, which nearly derailed months of diplomatic efforts and talks.
The U.S. President had openly condemned the Israeli raid on Beirut in a post on his "Truth Social" account yesterday. He insisted such attacks should not be repeated and all hostilities on all fronts should cease, urging against targeting any further Lebanese areas.
Meanwhile, Iran has repeatedly insisted on ending the war in Lebanon, where its ally Hezbollah suffered crippling blows since clashes erupted between them and Israeli forces on March 2. On that day, Hezbollah launched rockets towards northern Israel, in retaliation for the assassination of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with intensive airstrikes on wide areas in southern Lebanon, as well as in Bekaa (eastern parts of the country) and Beirut.
Israeli forces also advanced into extensive areas on the border, razing over 50 villages and towns.