US asks Israel to limit strikes, start withdrawing in return for Hezbollah disarmament

The U.S. has asked Israel to reduce its military action in Lebanon after the Lebanese government decided last week to disarm Hezbollah by the year end, Axios said.

The American news portal reported that the Trump administration thinks reciprocal steps by Israel would encourage Lebanon to follow through. It said the U.S. has asked Israel to consider withdrawing from one of five hills its troops are occupying in south Lebanon and to significantly reduce "non-urgent" air strikes for a few weeks to show willingness to cooperate with the Lebanese effort.

Despite a ceasefire reached in late November, Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes on Lebanon and is still occupying five hills in south Lebanon that it deems "strategic".

Hezbollah said it will not hand over its arms under Israeli attacks and occupation. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who vowed to disarm Hezbollah are also demanding Israel halt its attacks and withdraw from the country.

U.S. special envoy to Lebanon Tom Barrack visited Lebanon this week to discuss the long-term cessation of hostilities with Israel. According to Axios, he proposed a step-by-step withdrawal from the five posts in response to practical steps by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.

A temporary pause of "non-urgent" strikes could be extended if Lebanon takes more action to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing itself in south Lebanon, Axios said.

The U.S. plan includes a "Trump economic zone" in parts of south Lebanon on the border with Israel, the report said. Saudi Arabia and Qatar would invest in the reconstruction of these areas and the economic zone would protect Israel as it would make it harder for Hezbollah to reestablish itself there.

Barrack and U.S. diplomat Morgan Ortagus had met Wednesday in Paris with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. "The Israelis didn't say no and they are willing to give it a chance. They understand that what the Lebanese cabinet did was historic and that they need to give something back," a source told Axios.