JNS
"I believe we will reach an understanding," said Israeli envoy to the U.S. Michael Herzog.
Michael Herzog, the outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United States, confirmed on Thursday that Jerusalem was in talks with Washington to delay the Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from Southern Lebanon.
"We are holding discussions with the Trump administration to extend the Sunday date to withdraw from Lebanon," the diplomat told Israel's Army Radio, speaking on his last day as ambassador. "I believe we will reach an understanding," he added.
Under the terms of the agreement with Beirut, Israel is to gradually redeploy from the country by Jan. 26 as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon take responsibility for ensuring that Hezbollah remains disarmed south of the Litani River.
However, concerns have been growing in Jerusalem about whether the Lebanese Armed Forces can fulfill its obligation to clamp down on Hezbollah’s presence in the south. The IDF remains engaged in frequent operations in the area.
Israel has asked the U.S. for an additional 30 days to complete the withdrawal from Lebanon.
Knesset member Galit Distel Atbaryan, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, told JNS on Wednesday that while MKs are not fully updated on the negotiations, she completely trusted the premier on this issue.
"The only person who knows is Netanyahu, and he keeps his cards close to his chest for good reasons. I see how he managed the war under international and internal pressure—and he is doing what is right, not necessarily what is popular, and he is paying a price for it," she said.
"I feel very safe under his guidance. I believe that what we've done so far to Hezbollah in Lebanon was remarkable and unbelievable, almost sci-fi. A lot of people were shocked by our abilities," Distel Atbaryan continued.
"I do believe that we have to watch ourselves and these borders because we know Hezbollah and Hamas have the same intentions, and those intentions to destroy Israel did not go away," the coalition lawmaker added. "They still exist, and it would be naive to believe they have changed. Hopefully, Netanyahu will make the right decisions."
Citing sources familiar with the ongoing talks, reports noted that American and French officials were discussing the issue with their Israeli and Lebanese counterparts. The sources said Paris will likely agree to the delayed withdrawal if the other parties are in agreement.
Separately, a Channel 13 News report claimed that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, at the request of Netanyahu, asked the U.S. to green-light a plan that would leave several IDF outposts in Southern Lebanon after the deadline for the withdrawal.
Army Radio claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump was inclined to deny the extension and wants the full redeployment done by Sunday.
Forces from the IDF's 7th "Storm from the Golan" Armored Brigade, under the command of the 91st "Galilee" Division, continued their counter-terrorism operations in Southern Lebanon, the army said on Thursday.
During raids in the area, forces discovered "numerous arms, including Kornet [anti-tank] missiles, grenades and Kalashnikov rifles," the IDF said, adding that all of the Hezbollah weapons were confiscated or destroyed.
Working in cooperation with the Yahalom combat engineering special forces unit, the soldiers located and destroyed underground structures that were used as Hezbollah shelters and weapons depots.
Meanwhile, troops of the 300th “Baram” Regional Brigade, under the command of the 146th Reserve Armored Division, operated against Hezbollah infrastructure in the village of Aita al-Shaab, the IDF said.
"The village was used by Hezbollah to arm itself and prepare numerous terrorist activities and from there, hundreds of rockets and anti-tank missiles were launched" toward Israel, according to a statement.
Many weapons were found inside structures that were used as residential buildings, in courtyards, kindergartens and basements. More than 30 arms depots were also discovered, along with Hezbollah terrorist positions. All of the weapons found were confiscated or destroyed.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned earlier this month that the Nov. 26 ceasefire agreement with Beirut would be void if the Iranian-backed terrorist group refuses to withdraw from Southern Lebanon.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has ordered the army to prepare plans for possible continued fighting, according to a statement released by the military’s Spokesperson’s Unit on Monday afternoon.
