The US and Iran have inched closer to a deal aimed at ending the war, with mediators stating they have agreed to the wording of the final text. This comes as the Israeli military on Saturday continued pounding south Lebanon and issuing fresh evacuation orders for residents of 20 towns and villages.
The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said in a post on X that residents near Nabatiyeh should “move to the north of the Zahrani River”.
“Anyone who is in the vicinity of Hezbollah installations or means of warfare is endangering their lives,” he added, accusing the movement of violating the truce without providing any evidence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with Trump in recent weeks over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the agreement currently being drawn up would end the war in Lebanon, implying an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas; however, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said it would not withdraw.
This comes as the United States and Iran have reportedly signaled on Friday that an agreement to end their war was close.
According to news agency Reuters, citing a senior US administration official, both sides had agreed on a text, and Washington expects to sign an initial deal in the coming days.
Israel has not been part of the negotiations, and Netanyahu said his country would not be a party to the agreement.
