Lebanon-Israel Tensions: Netanyahu Links Israeli Troop Withdrawal to Hezbollah’s Disarmament

In response to the Lebanese Cabinet’s decision to pursue Hezbollah’s disarmament by the end of 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a conditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. Netanyahu asserted that if Lebanon takes the necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah, Israel will correspondingly decrease its military presence in southern Lebanon. This announcement comes after a US-brokered ceasefire ended the conflict. There’s an ongoing dispute, with Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister stating that Israel needs to comply with the ceasefire terms, including halting daily air strikes and withdrawing from occupied territories.