US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he believed Israel would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s previous comments. The president made this statement while speaking with reporters at the NATO Summit in Ankara, where he had discussed a potential withdrawal with Netanyahu.
Trump expressed confidence that both countries would honor their agreement and that the move would be beneficial for all parties involved. However, Netanyahu recently visited Lebanese territory occupied by Israeli forces, asserting that Israel would not withdraw as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah posed a threat to southern Lebanon.
On June 26, the Israeli and Lebanese governments reached a security agreement mediated by the United States, under which Israel will hand over two areas to Lebanon’s army.