Israel to maintain southern Lebanon presence despite US-Iran deal

Troop presence in southern Lebanon

Israeli security sources said Saturday the army will not withdraw from its self-declared "security zone" in southern Lebanon regardless of any agreement between Washington and Tehran, even as the military prepares to adjust its operational tempo to avoid disrupting the diplomatic track.

The public broadcaster KAN reported that commanders are preparing for possible orders to halt the ground offensive due to the emerging US-Iran agreement. "The Israeli army will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon," the sources said, adding: "Military operations, however, will continue with a greater focus in the south."

Operational adjustments

Tel Aviv is also preparing to reduce attacks deep inside Lebanese territory for fear they could jeopardize the anticipated agreement, according to the same sources. The military has advanced more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) into Lebanese territory since early March, establishing the so-called buffer zone as part of an offensive that has displaced over 1.5 million people.

Diplomatic timeline and regional fallout

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 3,700 people and injured 11,600 others since March 2, Lebanese officials said. US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform early Saturday that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — whose country has mediated between the parties — said the agreement could be finalized within 24 hours.

Tehran stated the agreement will not be signed on Sunday, though it may be inked in the coming days. The region has remained on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's key energy chokepoints.