The election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s new president is expected to intensify pressure on Israel to adhere to its withdrawal deadline from southern Lebanon, a U.S. official told Axios.

This development is anticipated to inject a renewed sense of urgency among international stakeholders, with the United States, Western allies, and Arab countries likely to intensify efforts to ensure Israel completes its pullout.

"The Israelis will start receiving the message that they need to get with the program. No way they are going to stay in Lebanon," the U.S. official remarked, reflecting the growing international consensus.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, remain hesitant to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon as their current strategy involves retaining forces in three key positions, citing security concerns. This approach has drawn criticism, particularly from the Biden administration, which strongly opposes any continued Israeli presence in the region.

Israeli officials, however, are reportedly optimistic that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s administration might adopt a more favorable stance toward their position once it assumes power.