The Hebrew newspaper Maariv has reported that political and security circles in Israel anticipate continued and intensifying U.S. pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from areas under Israeli military control in southern Lebanon.
According to the report, some Israeli sources believe that a full withdrawal at this stage is a highly challenging political decision for Netanyahu. Many within Israel view such a move as potentially weakening his domestic standing after presenting control of the security buffer as both a strategic and security achievement.
Estimates suggest that Netanyahu might show flexibility towards certain limited measures, such as repositioning or localized field adjustments. However, he appears unwilling to agree to a comprehensive withdrawal at the moment.
Conversely, Israeli security sources confirm that Israeli forces continue operations in the area to dismantle military infrastructure and destroy installations deemed security threats, including monitoring sites of strategic importance to Hezbollah.
The report connects U.S. pressure with Washington's efforts to enhance regional stability and support ongoing diplomatic and political processes in the area, particularly amid efforts to solidify recent understandings and reduce tension levels.
It also noted Israel's concern over what it perceives as a shift in the U.S. approach to Iran, with fears that the current political developments might lead to broader changes in regional balances and their implications on the Lebanese issue.
Amid ongoing debates within Israel over the future of military presence in southern Lebanon, Israeli estimates view that any decision for a full withdrawal, if made, may be postponed to a later political stage, beyond the direct pressures currently facing the government.