Israel pushing Trump for approval to keep troops in Lebanon: Report

Israel is lobbying US President Donald Trump for permission to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement requiring its full withdrawal by Sunday, according to Israel’s Channel 13.

The report says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is seeking Trump’s blessing to keep five military outposts in Lebanon, effectively prolonging the Israeli occupation of parts of the country.

Under the terms of the truce reached with Hezbollah in November, all Israeli forces were supposed to leave Lebanese territory, yet Israel has continued its near-daily attacks, violating the agreement.

Hezbollah, despite these provocations, has largely held back from major retaliation, launching only a single “warning” strike on an Israeli base. The group’s leadership has made it clear they are giving the Lebanese government space to resolve Israel’s breaches diplomatically.

However, frustration is growing. Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, a senior Hezbollah official, said on Wednesday that “Monday will be a different day” if Israeli forces refuse to leave Lebanon, signalling that patience may be running out.