
CONDITIONAL U.S. ASSURANCES: Lebanon Says Washington Won’t Back Expanded Israeli Security Zone if Hezbollah Avoids Provocations
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reportedly received assurances from the United States that Washington will not support an expansion of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon, provided Hezbollah refrains from actions that could justify a broader Israeli military operation.
The account, published Tuesday, cited a Lebanese political source involved in direct contacts between Israel and Lebanon.
According to the report, Aoun has been pressing senior American officials to use Washington’s influence with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to prevent Israel from expanding the zone.
Lebanese officials reportedly fear Netanyahu could pursue such a move ahead of Israel’s Knesset elections, viewing it as a potential way to strengthen his chances of victory. That assessment reflects concerns voiced on the Lebanese side.
The source emphasized that the American assurances depend on Hezbollah’s conduct on the ground. The terrorist group must avoid actions that could give Israel justification to extend its military operations toward the ridges between the Iqlim al-Tuffah area and Jabal al-Rihan in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah reportedly sent Aoun a message through Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri asserting that it remains committed to the ceasefire.
According to the report, the group said it was currently refraining from responding to what it described as “Israeli strikes.”
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