Overview

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu said Israel would reduce its presence in coordination with Washington if Lebanese authorities take concrete steps to disarm Hezbollah.
• Israel did not commit to a full withdrawal, stating only that remaining forces could be drawn down in stages from positions in the south.
• Lebanon’s cabinet has endorsed a U.S. roadmap targeting Hezbollah’s disarmament by year’s end, with the Lebanese Army tasked to design implementation steps.
• Hezbollah and the allied Amal Movement called protests in Beirut and insist they will discuss disarmament only after Israel halts strikes and removes troops from the south.
• Despite a ceasefire since late November, Israel retains soldiers at five posts in southern Lebanon and conducts near-daily strikes on targets it says are linked to Hezbollah.