IDF preparing to stop Lebanon ground advance amid pending US-Iran deal - report

Israel is preparing for the possibility that a pending US-Iran agreement could lead to international pressure on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to halt its ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. KAN News reported on Saturday, citing Israeli security sources.

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Israel is preparing for the possibility that the pending US-Iran agreement will result in calls to stop the IDF ground advance against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to the sources, the IDF is readying itself to cease deeper attacks into Lebanon to avoid jeopardizing the US-Iran deal. However, these sources emphasized that Israel will not withdraw from the established security zone within Lebanon as part of any such agreement. The issue of a full IDF withdrawal is slated for discussion during talks in Washington later in June.

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the IDF is preparing to stop its deeper attacks into Lebanon to avoid harming the US-Iran deal, but will not withdraw from the security zone as part of that agreement.

KAN reported that the IDF's 36th Division continues to advance northward in Lebanon, with some reports indicating they have approached the significant Lebanese city of Nabatieh. The military views Nabatieh as an important Hezbollah stronghold and believes seizing the opportunity to reach the city is crucial. The report also noted that the IDF has curtailed operations in Beirut, seemingly in consideration of the pending US-Iran deal. While some sources claimed Hezbollah had agreed to cease firing on northern Israeli communities, the Prime Minister's Office dismissed these reports as "fake news."

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Nabatieh is an important Hezbollah stronghold and the IDF, therefore, must seize the opportunity to reach the city.