Israel rejected US envoy Tom Barrack’s proposal to end hostilities with Hezbollah, despite agreeing in principle to gradually stop targeted strikes on targets across southern Lebanon, local outlet Al-Jadeed reported on Friday.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly told Barrack that Israel would agree to gradually stop targeted assassination attempts and strikes, and would withdraw from several key points in southern Lebanon.
However, Israel reportedly insisted that several villages on the border remain evacuated to act as a buffer zone. Israel said that Lebanon could develop factories and other industrial areas there, but stressed that civilians should evacuate the area.
Maariv reported that this effectively canceled the entire agreement, which would have only taken effect had both sides agreed to all of its conditions.
Israel’s military has been active in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire was reached in November 2024, with the IDF saying in July that it would continue regular attacks on Hezbollah until it disarms, even if this leads to another war.
US asks IDF to minimize military operations in Lebanon
This comes a week after Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with Barrack in Paris. Lebanese political sources told the Arab news outlet that reports of direct Israeli control over villages in Lebanon were untrue.
The same sources told Al-Jadeed that Barrack demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from certain villages in southern Lebanon to encourage the Lebanese government to consolidate measures.
The US envoy will travel to Beirut next week with US Senator Lindsay Graham, former US envoy Morgan Ortagus, and several other administration advisers.
Axios previously reported that the Trump administration asked Israel to minimize military operations in Lebanon to encourage Beirut to disarm Hezbollah. Maariv reported that the US administration’s plan includes a suspension of non-urgent strikes, which would be extended if Lebanon takes additional steps to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping.
Earlier on Saturday, an IDF drone struck a target near the southern Lebanese town of Tefatha, in the Sidon region, Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese news outlet Al-Akhbar reported.