Netanyahu vows to keep Israeli forces in southern Lebanon despite Iran peace deal

Jun 18, 2026

Bad news for a fragile US-brokered peace deal — Israel signals it won't stop fighting in Lebanon, risking a slide back into war.

  • A new US-Iran memorandum demands an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, but Netanyahu says Israeli troops are staying in southern Lebanon.
  • Lebanon is a red line for Iran, so refusing to leave there could blow up the whole deal.
  • Israel is still hitting Lebanon hard, reportedly dropping white phosphorus bombs on Nabatiyeh.
  • The fear: Israel pushes hard enough to provoke an Iranian response and drag the US back into the war.
  • Both Israel and the US are running low on missile interceptors, raising worries about how far Israel might go if it starts losing.

Outlook: Expect continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and a tense standoff over whether Trump holds the line or gets pulled back into the conflict.

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