Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Monday refuted claims from Channel 12 that Israel and the United States are negotiating an arrangement to limit the Israeli army's ground operations in southern Lebanon, in exchange for US backing of future Israeli actions to prevent Hezbollah from rearming.

Channel 12’s report suggested that recent talks between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had explored a possible compromise. According to the report, the plan involved Israel refraining from expanding its ground operations in southern Lebanon for a 60-day ceasefire period, during which both countries would draft an agreement ensuring Israel’s operational freedom to counter Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts in the area. 

The report also alleged that the White House is pushing for a 60-day ceasefire to finalize the terms of a new agreement for southern Lebanon, which would grant Israel the leeway to strike Hezbollah should it attempt to rebuild its military infrastructure or smuggle in arms.

However, Netanyahu’s office dismissed these claims, telling The Times of Israel the report was “a total fiction.” 

An unnamed Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Netanyahu is keen to secure a diplomatic resolution that includes Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, establishing a buffer zone that limits the group’s proximity to Israel’s northern border.