Lead:
Diplomatic and military developments converged on Monday as Israel signaled the start of a partial troop drawdown in southern Lebanon, while the fifth round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations opened in Switzerland focused on consolidating the ceasefire. Simultaneously, Hezbollah sharply condemned the Lebanese government's participation in direct talks, and Iranian-American negotiations in Geneva placed the Lebanon file at the forefront, ahead of the nuclear dossier.
Details:
According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, as cited by Al-Markazia and Al-Diyar, the Israeli military has begun reducing its forces in southern Lebanon after completing most of its offensive objectives. Both sides are expected to determine this week which areas cleared of Hezbollah presence will be transferred to the Lebanese Army. Al-Diyar further reported that American pressure on Israel contributed to this partial withdrawal, with the Trump administration reportedly requesting a limited Israeli pullback. A source close to the White House, cited by Israel Hayom and relayed by Newsd, indicated Washington may formally demand a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Lebanese sources following the negotiations, speaking to LBCI and quoted by Newsd, indicated that the Geneva track will concentrate exclusively on cementing the ceasefire, while the question of Israeli withdrawal and other outstanding issues remain reserved for the Washington negotiating table. Al-Diyar also reported a near-consensus between Beirut and Washington to keep the Israeli withdrawal file outside the Geneva framework entirely. Army Commander General Rudolf Hikl toured operational units in the Nabatieh district, and the Al-Yarze meeting reportedly produced broad guidelines affirming military readiness and institutional stability, according to Al-Diyar.
Hezbollah issued a forceful statement condemning the Lebanese government delegation's participation in direct negotiations, characterizing it as rubber-stamping American dictates that infringe upon Lebanese sovereignty. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem separately warned that the resistance would respond to any Israeli violation in a manner it deems appropriate. Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Hassan Fadlallah, quoted by both Al-Diyar and Al-Akhbar, insisted that the Switzerland talks must begin from a full halt to Israeli aggression and affirmed that rocket-backed diplomacy is what protects Beirut. Iran's Tasnim Agency warned that US-Iran negotiations would halt if Israel does not withdraw from Lebanon, while Iranian state media confirmed that the Geneva round focused on Lebanon and had not yet addressed the nuclear program.
MP Najat Aoun Saliba, cited by Al-Markazia, stressed that all Lebanon-related negotiations must pass exclusively through Lebanese constitutional institutions, warning that Lebanon risks becoming a bargaining chip in Iran's regional disputes.
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