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The report comes despite days of fierce fighting that prevented Israeli occupation forces from fully advancing into the area and left five Israeli soldiers dead. While officials now say the operation's objectives have been achieved, Israel insists it has no intention of withdrawing from southern Lebanon at this stage and says any future pullback would only take place within the framework of US-sponsored talks with Lebanon in Washington.

According to the report, occupation forces have surrounded a fortified underground complex at Ali al-Taher that officials say served as a command center for Hezbollah operations. Israeli troops are positioned at all access points to the site, where dozens of Hezbollah fighters are believed to remain besieged underground. Israel says it will not leave the area until the fighters either surrender or are killed and the infrastructure is destroyed. Hezbollah's Media Relations Office told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Israeli claims of besieging the group's resistance fighters in the Ali al-Taher Heights are "baseless," adding that the reports are intended to boost the morale of Israeli forces after their failure to advance in the area.

Israel Hayom reported that Israel has set three minimum conditions for any withdrawal from southern Lebanon: the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani River, the dismantling of Hezbollah infrastructure south of the river, and full Israeli freedom of action to respond to perceived threats. Israeli officials also said they want to maintain a forward security zone inside Lebanese territory and are considering transferring certain areas to the Lebanese Armed Forces as "pilot zones" to test whether the army can prevent Hezbollah's return.

The report comes amid growing concern in Israel that Washington may soon demand a withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Sources close to both the White House and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Hayom that such a request is increasingly likely as tensions deepen between the Trump administration and the Israeli government over Lebanon policy. Netanyahu has reportedly described leaving the security zone as a "red line," while senior Israeli officials acknowledged that relations with Washington have become "definitely challenging" amid mounting US pressure.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat ahead of the fifth round of Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington, Berri said he welcomed efforts that led to the recent ceasefire and expressed hope that it would hold, adding that this depends on Israel's commitment to the agreement in return for Hezbollah's adherence to it.

He said Israel requested the ceasefire through the international mechanism overseeing the cessation of hostilities and agreed to it only after coming under intense US pressure following two days of deadly attacks on southern Lebanon.

Berri said Hezbollah remains committed to the ceasefire while Israel continues to violate it. He rejected proposals to divide southern Lebanon into "pilot zones," arguing that negotiations over their geographic boundaries could take years and allow Israel to prolong its presence.

Instead, he called for a phased Israeli withdrawal based on Lebanon's existing administrative districts, with each withdrawal taking place simultaneously with the deployment of Lebanese Army units and the return of residents to their homes.

He added that any Israeli withdrawal from a district must coincide with it becoming free of weapons, stating that he had committed on Hezbollah's behalf to ensuring the area south of the Litani River is cleared of arms, provided Israel adheres to a corresponding withdrawal timetable.