A US source told Yisrael Hayom that a US demand for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon is only a matter of time.

Netanyahu has instructed the military to prepare in a way that protects IDF soldiers stationed in the area, but has made clear that abandoning southern Lebanon is a “red line.”

Five IDF soldiers were killed in Hezbollah attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday and Shabbos alone.

Meanwhile, the IDF has dramatically tightened rules of engagement, reducing attacks in southern Lebanon to almost zero as early as the beginning of last week.

A US demand to withdraw from southern Lebanon would place Israel—and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu—in an extremely difficult position.

Netanyahu’s associates describe the situation with the Americans as “definitely challenging,” given the shift in the Trump administration’s policy and the growing diplomatic pressure on Israel.

“The enemies are around our borders, not anyone else’s, and we will act against them,” an Israeli source said.

Meanwhile, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and announced that it will not reopen it until the “violations of the ceasefire” between Israel and Lebanon end.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)