Israel wants to separate Lebanon issue from US-Iran talks: CNN

Israel is considering announcing “symbolic” withdrawals from occupied territory in southern Lebanon as part of upcoming talks, according to an Israeli source familiar with the matter, CNN reports.

The idea has been discussed ahead of three days of talks between Israel and Lebanon set to take place under the auspices of the Trump administration in Washington this week, the source said.

The withdrawals would constitute the pullback of some forces from minor areas over the so-called Yellow Line, which delineated the boundary of the territory the Israeli military held after a previous ceasefire in April.

The source told CNN that Israel is contemplating a limited withdrawal as a “gesture” to the Lebanese government, aiming to prioritize the diplomatic track and separate Lebanon from the US-Iran ceasefire talks.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz denied that the Israeli military would withdraw from Beaufort Castle, which sits on a ridge that has seen some of the most intense fighting in recent days. Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have vowed that Israel will not withdraw from what they describe as a security zone in southern Lebanon.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Rodolphe Haykal separately visited southern Lebanon on Sunday.