Lebanese President Secures U.S. Guarantees to Block Netanyahu on Security Zone

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has received guarantees from the United States that the American administration will not grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a green light to expand the security zone in southern Lebanon. The report was published by the pro-Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, citing a Lebanese political source involved in negotiations.

According to the report, Aoun maintains contacts with senior U.S. officials to pressure Netanyahu and prevent the expansion of the security zone. Lebanese officials reportedly fear Netanyahu might exploit such a move as a political lever ahead of the Knesset elections to boost his electoral prospects.

The source added that the U.S. guarantees were conditional on Hezbollah refraining from actions that would provide Israel with a pretext to expand military operations toward the ridges between the Jabel el Touፋah and Jebel Rihan areas in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the terrorist organization Hezbollah conveyed a message to the Lebanese president through Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, stating that the group remains committed to the ceasefire and is refraining from responding to Israeli strikes.