Trump delivers 2nd major shock to Israel: pushing IDF withdrawal after Ben-Gurion jets pulled back?

Is Benjamin Netanyahu being pushed towards a strategic retreat in Lebanon? Reports suggest Israel is preparing for a possible phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon under a U.S.-backed plan, potentially marking a major turning point in the conflict with Hezbollah. According to reports, U.S.-mediated talks in Washington involving Israeli and Lebanese officials will explore a pilot withdrawal plan. The proposal could see Israeli forces pull back from certain areas, the Lebanese Army deploy along the border region, and Hezbollah fighters move away from the designated zone under American supervision. As discussions over a possible de-escalation continue, reports indicate the I.D.F. is preparing to leave some non-essential positions inside the “Yellow Line.” If implemented, the move could become the first significant test of whether the Lebanon front can transition from active confrontation to a more stable ceasefire arrangement. However, even as diplomatic efforts advance, Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed the need for Israel to build a more self-reliant military-industrial base. While thanking the United States for decades of security assistance, the Israeli Prime Minister argued that Israel must strengthen domestic weapons production to maintain long-term strategic independence.