JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel's political leadership has ordered the military to refrain from carrying out "unusual" operations in southern Lebanon following a demand from the United States, Israel's state-run Kan TV News reported on Friday.
According to Kan, the directive remains in effect until further notice, pending developments in the U.S.-Iran tensions and the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
The channel noted that the United States, recently consumed by its own escalation with Iran, has expressed concern that Israel could get involved in the conflict.
An Israeli security source told Kan that Israel is prepared to exploit any Iranian attack against it to launch significant strikes in Iran, but, in light of a demand from the White House, the Israeli military was instructed to hold off.
Kan also reported that the Israeli military is expected to begin withdrawing from two areas in the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon as early as next week, coinciding with the resumption of peace talks between Lebanon and Israel in Rome.
This withdrawal is part of a framework agreement signed in Washington between Israel and Lebanon in late June. ■
