Israel Retains Full Military Freedom in South Lebanon Under Secret Security Annex

A confidential security annex within the latest agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon explicitly guarantees the Israeli army full freedom to operate against threats within its security zone in southern Lebanon. It also confirms that there will be no automatic withdrawal of Israeli forces. However, Jerusalem remains concerned that Tehran's pressure could undermine the deal, according to an official familiar with the agreement who spoke to the Times of Israel, corroborating an unverified report published by Israeli Channel 12.

The security annex, referenced in the published text of the agreement, was classified as secret at the request of the Lebanese government, according to the details provided.

Article Four of the annex stipulates that the Israeli army will maintain freedom of movement to counter immediate and emerging threats within the security zone. Israel regards this provision as essential amid fears that US-Iranian negotiations might restrict its ability to respond to threats against its forces posed by Hezbollah.

The agreement also includes an explicit commitment from both Israel and Lebanon not to carry out any automatic Israeli withdrawals or adhere to fixed timetables. Instead, any redeployments will be based on developments on the ground. The main agreement further states that any withdrawal will be performance-based.

The annex indicates that the two trial zones announced yesterday will remain the only ones in the foreseeable future, with no immediate plans to expand this arrangement.

Israeli officials have expressed concern that Iran may attempt to undermine this understanding through parallel talks with Washington, by pressuring the United States to demand a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon as part of a broader US-Iranian agreement, as added by the Channel 12 report and confirmed by the same official.