For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild
While the deal with Lebanon allows the Israeli military to maintain a presence there, security experts warn that it also gives a weakened Hezbollah the time it needs to recover.
TEL AVIV — Israeli security officials describe Israel's deal with Lebanon as a historic agreement that offers important strategic advantages but also carries serious risks. While it allows Israel to maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon, it also gives Hezbollah the time it needs to rebuild after coming close to annihilation.
Defense Minister Israel Katz blames US President Donald Trump for preventing Israel from crushing Hezbollah by forcing it to accept the Lebanon agreement, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the US-brokered deal as a major achievement.
Conflicting views in Israel
Contrasting assessments of the landmark agreement, signed June 26 in Washington between Israel and Lebanon, reveal Israel's deep ambivalence and frustration over the outcome of the war it fought alongside the United States against Iran and its regional proxies.
