An Israeli soldier stands next to a gate on a road near the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, on March 12, 2025. (Credit: Avi Ohayon/Reuters)
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the formation of three "working groups" with Lebanon to resolve disputes between the two.This initiative could pave the way for an Israeli military withdrawal from remaining positions in southern Lebanon, a definitive resolution of the 13 contested border points, and even the release of Lebanese prisoners captured during (and after) last year’s war.Although these measures were outlined in the November cease-fire agreement, they were not expected to happen, especially since Israel emerged emboldened from its war against Hezbollah.Netanyahu described his efforts as a "gesture toward Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun” — who has vowed to disarm Hezbollah — and noted that the move was coordinated with the United States. Read more...
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the formation of three "working groups" with Lebanon to resolve disputes between the two.This initiative could pave the way for an Israeli military withdrawal from remaining positions in southern Lebanon, a definitive resolution of the 13 contested border points, and even the release of Lebanese prisoners captured during (and after) last year’s war.Although these measures were outlined in the November cease-fire agreement, they were not expected to happen, especially since Israel emerged emboldened from its war against Hezbollah.Netanyahu described his efforts as a "gesture toward Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun” — who has vowed to disarm Hezbollah — and noted that the move was coordinated with the United States. Read...
