US‑Brokered Deal Tested: Israeli Troops Hold Positions in South Lebanon

On June 26, the United States facilitated a framework agreement that required Israeli soldiers to withdraw from occupied zones in southern Lebanon and to be replaced by Lebanese armed forces. Hezbollah’s political bureau chief Sheikh Naeem Qasim labeled the pact as a surrender to Israel, reflecting internal dissent. Nevertheless, the agreement’s terms have been repeatedly broken, with Israeli units maintaining a presence in several key districts and conducting limited air and ground strikes. Analysts note that the repeated violations undermine confidence in U.S. mediation and raise the risk of a broader regional confrontation.