The American news website Axios reported, citing an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Israel does not consider itself bound by the clause pertaining to Lebanon in the memorandum of understanding recently signed between the United States and Iran.

According to the adviser, Netanyahu informed the U.S. President that Israel will not withdraw from the areas under its control in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is completely disarmed.

Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP)

Sources within the Trump administration told Israeli Channel 12 that frustration with Netanyahu is growing among senior officials in the administration.

According to administration officials, some White House aides questioned whether Netanyahu was seeking to prolong the conflict with Iran in order to strengthen his political position.

A senior U.S. official also stated that Netanyahu frequently advocates for additional military action during his conversations with Trump, who reportedly grows weary of such discussions. As the official put it, “Bibi is always explaining to President Trump why a particular target should be bombed and destroyed.”

Lebanon clause in the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding

Early Thursday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the signing of a version of the memorandum of understanding with Iran.

The Lebanon-related provision is outlined in the first clause of the agreement, which states that the United States and Iran, together with their respective allies involved in the current conflict, declare upon signing the memorandum of understanding the immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

The parties further commit to refraining from initiating hostile actions against one another, abstaining from the threat or use of force, and respecting and ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The clause also stipulates that the final agreement will reaffirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and incorporate the remaining provisions of the paragraph.

Continued Israeli strikes on the south

Despite the agreement, Israel has continued its artillery shelling of towns in southern Lebanon and has carried out a number of raids targeting specific locations.

This morning, a vehicle in the town of Kfar Tebnit, in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon, was targeted in a strike that resulted in one casualty. Israeli forces also shelled the area of Nabatieh al-Faouqa.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that negotiations are being conducted by the Lebanese state, adding that a new round is expected next week and is hoped to be more positive, particularly given what he described as significant interest from the American administration in Lebanon.

He emphasized that no party replaces the state in this process, noting that this has become a shared conviction, and stressed that the Lebanese state is the sole decision-maker, conducting negotiations itself for the first time rather than through any intermediary.