Outgoing Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog on Thursday morning told Army Radio that Israel is trying to repel the Trump administration’s demand that it live up to the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah (a.k.a. Lebanon) and withdraw from south Lebanon this coming Sunday. The ambassador expressed his hope that Jerusalem and Washington would “reach an understanding” and Israel would be granted an extension.
Israel already had an understanding with the Biden administration that as long as the Lebanese did not succeed in pushing Hezbollah’s forces north of the Litani River, in keeping with the 2006 UNSC Resolution 1701, the IDF could remain in south Lebanon to “help.”
The Biden administration reportedly considered granting Israel an additional 30 days beyond the 60-day withdrawal period outlined in the truce agreement.
But Trump doesn’t appear to care whether Hezbollah goes or stays. Either way, the Trump administration anticipates the IDF to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Sunday, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah terror group, according to Army Radio.
News13 reported Wednesday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a new request to the Trump administration, seeking approval to maintain five Israeli outposts in south Lebanon. The cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the matter.
The request was reportedly made through Netanyahu’s close aide, Ron Dermer. According to Israeli officials, the five strategic outposts serve as a critical buffer between northern Israeli residents and the Hezbollah army in southern Lebanon. Officials in Jerusalem cited incomplete implementation of the agreement as the reason for the request, noting that the Lebanese army has yet to deploy in the area which Trump wants the IDF to vacate in three days.
Here’s an idea of how feeble the Lebanese Army has been in its mission to remove Hezbollah from the Israeli border: the IDF committed eight violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon on Wednesday alone, bringing the total to 629 breaches since the agreement took effect on November 27.
Does Trump care? Better yet, does Trump respect an ally who begs his permission to control its border against terrorists?
