Israel lobbies reluctant Trump to delay Lebanon withdrawal, Hezbollah grows impatient

According to the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel is seeking to delay its full withdrawal from Lebanon. However, several Israeli media outlets report that U.S. President Donald Trump opposes any such delay.

The ceasefire agreement stipulates that all Israeli troops should withdraw from Lebanese territory by Sunday. Israel’s Channel 13 News reported on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested the Trump administration to allow Israel to maintain five military outposts in the country after the withdrawal deadline. This move would extend Israel's presence in parts of southern Lebanon.

However, a report by Israel Army Radio stated that Trump opposes this request and expects Israel to abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The Army Radio report also noted that the previous Biden administration had considered allowing Israel to remain in Lebanon for an additional 30 days. Israel's outgoing ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, told Army Radio that Israel is discussing the issue and both sides will “reach an understanding” to allow for a delay in the withdrawal.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect last November, Israel has launched several attacks inside Lebanon, violating the agreement. Israel has also accused Hezbollah of violating the terms of the agreement. Hezbollah has largely avoided large-scale retaliation, only conducting a single “warning” strike on an Israeli base. The group's leadership has made it clear that they are giving the Lebanese government space to address Israeli violations through diplomatic means.

However, the Hezbollah leadership is growing increasingly frustrated with Israeli attacks. A senior Hezbollah official, Ghaleb Abu Zainab, said on Wednesday that if Israeli troops refuse to leave Lebanon, “Monday will be a different day,” suggesting their patience may be running out.

Trump was sworn into office on Monday and has taken several steps indicating that his new administration may be taking a different approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Whitcoff, told Fox News this week that the U.S. president wants him to push the ceasefire agreement into a second phase. Whitcoff has also taken over the government’s Iran portfolio, rather than it being handled by the well-known Iran hawk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

While the first Trump administration took a hard line on Iran, Trump has nominated several individuals to key policy positions who hold the view that the U.S. should not escalate tensions with Iran. These nominees, including Michael Dimino, Elbridge Colby, and potentially Joe Kent, all want the U.S. to reduce its military role in the Middle East.