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Israel lobbies reluctant Trump to delay Lebanon withdrawal, Hezbollah grows impatient

According to an Israeli report, Trump is opposed to delaying Israel's withdrawal from the country
This handout picture released by the Israeli Army on 16 January 2025 shows troops of the 11th Brigade operating in southern Lebanon.
This handout picture released by the Israeli army on 16 January 2025 shows troops operating in southern Lebanon (Israeli army/Handout/AFP)

As Israel looks to delay the full withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon per the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, several Israeli media reports have said that US President Donald Trump is opposed to any such delay.

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached between Hezbollah and Israel, all Israeli troops are supposed to leave Lebanese territory by Sunday. 

Israel's Channel 13 news reported on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested that the Trump administration give their blessing to allow Israel to maintain five military outposts in the country after the withdrawal deadline.

Such a move would prolong Israel's presence in parts of southern Lebanon.

However, a report by Israel's Army Radio said that Trump was opposed to this and is expecting Israel to abide by the terms of the ceasefire.

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The Army Radio report added that the previous Biden administration was considering granting Israel another 30 days to remain in Lebanon. Israel's outgoing ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, told Army Radio that Israel is discussing the issue and that both sides will "reach an understanding" to achieve the withdrawal delay.

Since the ceasefire went into effect last November, Israel has violated the agreement by launching numerous attacks inside Lebanon. Israel has also accused Hezbollah of reneging on the terms of the agreement.

Hezbollah has largely held back from major retaliation, launching only a single “warning” strike on an Israeli base. The group’s leadership has made it clear they are giving the Lebanese government space to resolve Israel’s breaches diplomatically.

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But frustration over Israel's attacks is growing amongst the group's leadership. Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, a senior Hezbollah official, said on Wednesday that “Monday will be a different day” if Israeli forces refuse to leave Lebanon, a sign that patience may be running out.

Trump was sworn into office on Monday and has made a number of moves signalling that his new administration could be taking a different approach to US foreign policy in the Middle East.

Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was present at the Doha talks that led to the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, told Fox News this week that the US president wants him to get the ceasefire to its second phase.

Witkoff was also handed over the administration's Iran portfolio instead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a prominent Iran hawk.

While the first Trump administration saw Washington take a hawkish position on Iran, Trump has nominated several people to key policy positions who hold views the US should not be escalating tensions with Iran.

Those nominees, including Michael DiMino, Elbridge Colby, and possibly Joe Kent, want the US to play a reduced military role in the Middle East.

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