Israel agreed to partial withdrawal in Lebanon – report

Israel reportedly agreed to goodwill gesture to Lebanon ahead of latest round of talks, with a partial withdrawal from territory in southern Lebanon.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel has agreed in principle to withdraw from some positions in southern Lebanon ahead of a new round of Israel-Lebanon talks, according to Lebanese media reports, in what was described as a possible confidence-building step tied to US-backed efforts to stabilize the ceasefire and advance a broader security arrangement.

LBCI reported Sunday that Beirut had been informed that Israel is prepared to pull back from several positions as a “goodwill gesture” before the expected negotiating session this week.

Lebanese authorities have reportedly received word of a possible limited withdrawal from some areas, while stressing that the move would not include the Beaufort area or the broader security zone Israel says is needed to defend northern communities.

The reported step would mark a notable shift in the Lebanon track, where Israel has insisted on maintaining a military presence at key points in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal.

Defense Minister Israel Katz later issued a statement emphasizing that Israel does not intend to leave the Beaufort area, also known as Beaufort Castle or Shaqif Castle, a strategic hilltop position overlooking parts of southern Lebanon.

While Katz ruled out withdrawal from Beaufort and double down on previous statements highlighting the importance of maintaining a security zone in southern Lebanon, he did not explicitly deny reports of a smaller pullout from some Lebanese territory.

“Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and is vital for defending the communities of the Galilee and IDF troops,” Katz said.

“As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon,” he added.

However, a senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that there were no planned withdrawals or concessions before the talks.

“There are no concessions and no withdrawals. The IDF is deployed along the Blue Line in positions deemed optimal for the protection of our forces. This is the directive issued by the military leadership, with the backing of the political echelon,” the official said.