President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States expects a "complete ceasefire" on all fronts in the Middle East, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon.
"The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"The Markets are loving what is happening with Oil Prices way down, and Stocks way up. We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel," he added.
Trump's comments came as details emerged from a U.S.-brokered memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and allied groups across the region.
According to the text of the agreement, the parties have agreed to the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon," and pledged not to initiate military operations against one another while respecting Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Hezbollah has said the agreement's reference to Lebanon's territorial integrity means Israeli forces must withdraw from Lebanese territory and that it would view any continued Israeli presence as a violation of the deal.
Netanyahu, however, said Thursday that Israel has no plans to leave its security zone in southern Lebanon, according to CBS News.
"Just as we restored security and prosperity to the Gaza envelope, so we will restore security and prosperity to the northern communities," Netanyahu said at a road inauguration event. "This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon, and it dictates that we will not withdraw from there as long as Israel's security needs require it."
The Israeli leader nevertheless thanked the United States for its support during the conflict.
"The struggle is not yet over, and additional challenges lie ahead," Netanyahu said. "These require of us composure, a resolute stand on our security interests, and at the same time maintaining the important connection with our American friends who fought shoulder to shoulder alongside us, and we appreciate this very much."