Israel presses US to keep troops in southern Lebanon
What's at stake: The talks test a new US-Iran pact that calls for Lebanon's territorial integrity and could hinge on whether Trump threatens repercussions.
Israel is negotiating with the United States to keep its troops deployed in southern Lebanon, despite a new interim US-Iran pact that calls on all parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Two Israeli officials told Reuters the government wants to maintain forces south of the Litani River and is not prepared to retreat from that position. Israel expanded its offensive in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah opened fire on March 2 in support of Iran. Since then, Israel has carried out a broad air and ground campaign and has described seized areas in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria as buffer zones. One official said the outcome may depend on whether President Donald Trump presses Israel to comply with the pact's terms.