A senior Israeli official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Reuters that Israel is “conducting tough negotiations” with the United States regarding Israel's continued deployment in southern Lebanon.

The official added that Israel does not intend to back down from its demands.

However, citing military sources, the newspaper “Israel Hayom” reported that the Israeli army has almost entirely stopped advancing deeper into southern Lebanon, noting that troops were instead instructed to take defensive positions inside buildings and trenches.

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

According to the adviser, Netanyahu informed the American president that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is completely disarmed.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Thursday morning that a version of the memorandum of understanding with Iran had been signed.

The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with their allies, declare that upon signing of the memorandum of understanding, there will be an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The two nations pledge henceforth not to use or threaten the use of force, which, by extension, upholds the unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.