Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that troops will stay in southern Lebanon as along as needed as Iran claims a withdrawal is an instrumental part of the deal with the U.S.
Speaking during a ceremony on Thursday, Netanyahu said restoring "security and prosperity to northern towns" requires "maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we not leave there, as long as Israel's security needs require it." Tens of thousands of residents of northern Israel have evacuated as a result of continued clashes with Hezbollah.
A senior Israeli official told Reuters on Thursday that the country is "conducting stubborn negotiations" over the situation in Lebanon, considering that the memorandum of understanding that Washington signed with Tehran declares an end to all hostilities in Lebanon. Neither Israel nor Lebanon are signatories of the agreement.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also published an updated map of its security zone saying troops won't withdraw at the moment.
Vice President JD Vance criticized Israel over what he described as a "freakout" over the deal, saying the country resorts to military action too much and should give more "credit" to the U.S. as an ally.
"I find this whole freakout in Israel a little bit odd because I think that it comes from a place of mistrust, and I think that America has earned the trust of that region of the world," Vance said in an interview with The New York Times.
"We've done a very good job by that particular country and that particular government, and I think that the idea that we've made a terrible deal is not supported by the facts, but just doesn't make any sense if you consider the broad length of the relationship," he added.
Referring to those in Israel criticizing the deal, he said: "I guess my response to them would be: What is your exact proposal? You're a country of nine million people. You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have."
Netanyahu has not addressed the content of the memorandum publicly, so far staying silent on the matter. However, at the moment he would stand alone should he seek to resume hostilities, considering the U.S: and Gulf countries targeted by Iran during the war have expressed their support.
