Trump Links Israeli Pullout to Lebanon's Abraham Accords Entry

Diplomatic discussions in the Middle East have produced a conditional proposal linking military redeployment to regional alliance expansion. A senior Gulf diplomatic source told the Lebanese newspaper Ad-Diyar that US President Donald Trump has committed to securing a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This commitment is contingent on the Lebanese government agreeing to join the Abraham Accords.

The source described these American promises as official commitments. However, the publication did not provide supporting documents or identify the diplomat's specific country. The White House has not confirmed the report, and the article did not specify when the promises were made or if a timeline for implementation exists.

Israeli officials responded by maintaining that no withdrawal will occur before Hezbollah is disarmed. They stated that the redeployment of IDF forces depends on the removal of weapons across all of Lebanon, not just in border areas. The officials noted that a peace agreement is possible once the security threat to northern residents is resolved, calling such an outcome consistent with Israeli objectives.

The report suggests that progress toward this arrangement relies on a strategic understanding between Washington and Tehran. It claimed that Iranian leaders instructed Hezbollah to avoid entering another war to prevent wider escalation. Sources familiar with the matter assessed that Israel's continued strikes reflect its determination to address Hezbollah's arsenal before proceeding with any exit from the south.

Lebanese leadership has outlined preferences for a diplomatic resolution. President Joseph Aoun emphasized the need for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon to maintain its presence. He alternatively proposed deploying European forces as part of a broader international mission. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that the government must exercise authority over the entire territory exclusively through its own security forces to restore state control.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qasm expressed interest in a potential US-Iran agreement, describing it as a source of strength for the group. He defended the continuation of resistance activities while rejecting the legitimacy of the current framework agreement. The newspaper linked the future of Israel's military presence in the south to both Hezbollah's disarmament and the outcome of Washington-Tehran negotiations, though it offered no indication that an agreement had been reached.