Israel wants to maintain its troops in Lebanon and is negotiating with Washington

Israel is currently holding talks with the United States to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon, according to two Israeli officials cited by Reuters. This move comes the day after Washington and Tehran signed an interim agreement that calls for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to these officials, including one close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the negotiations with the US administration concern the future of the Israeli deployment in areas captured during the offensive against Hezbollah. The discussions are taking place in a delicate diplomatic context, and the officials requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The conflict escalated when Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group, launched attacks against Israel on March 2 in support of its Iranian ally. In response, Israel launched a large-scale air and ground campaign in Lebanon, stating its intention to permanently neutralize the group's military capabilities.

Since then, Israeli forces have taken control of several border areas. The Israeli government presents these territories as "buffer zones" intended to prevent future attacks against its territory. This strategy is also part of a broader security policy implemented by Israel in several conflict zones in the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected international calls for a withdrawal from the territories conquered in Lebanon, as well as in the Gaza Strip and parts of Syria. According to him, these positions are essential to guaranteeing Israel's security in the face of regional threats.

The agreement reached between the United States and Iran could, however, complicate this position. By emphasizing Lebanon's sovereignty, the text risks increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel regarding the presence of its troops beyond its northern border. The ongoing discussions with Washington should therefore be crucial for the future of this military deployment.

While the fighting has significantly reshaped the regional balance in recent months, the question of maintaining Israeli forces in Lebanon now appears as one of the first tests of the post-war period and the new diplomatic dynamics in the Middle East.