Reports of an Israeli pullback from parts of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon triggered conflicting accounts on Thursday, underscoring persistent uncertainty over the status of US-brokered negotiations aimed at easing tensions with Hezbollah.

A US State Department official told Reuters that Israel had begun withdrawing from portions of the buffer zone it established during its recent war with Hezbollah, describing the move as a goodwill step and urging the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in and assume control.

“Israel has already taken a concrete step by pulling back from a part of its buffer zone. This is a significant demonstration of good faith toward Lebanon’s legitimate government,” the official said.

The official added that Lebanese troops should now deploy to the vacated areas and “verifiably clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure,” outlining what Washington described as a model for wider implementation across southern Lebanon.

“This model will be repeated across South Lebanon, enabling the safe return of displaced families, reconstruction of the south, and the restoration of full Lebanese sovereignty,” the official said.

However, the claims immediately ran into conflicting accounts from Israeli sources, highlighting the lack of clarity surrounding developments on the ground.

A senior Israeli security official said they were not aware of any confirmed Israeli withdrawal from buffer-zone positions in southern Lebanon, casting doubt on the US account.

"I don't know of such a thing," the source told Haaretz, adding that "de facto, we haven't moved from anywhere as of now."

According to the officials, the military has not yet received political instructions to carry out a withdrawal.

They added that while the issue of a possible redeployment in southern Lebanon has been discussed in US-mediated talks between the two sides in Washington, no agreement has been reached and no operational withdrawal has been ordered.