Syria Seeks Israel Security Deal as US Pushes Lebanon Withdrawal

Syria's President Sharaa is seeking a security arrangement with Israel as part of a broader regional strategy. The United States supports a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon tied to a Hezbollah disarmament deal. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly told his cabinet that the US wants Israel to withdraw troops from Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, and that he intends to refuse. The UN human rights chief warned that Israeli strikes in Lebanon could amount to international crimes and called for an end to the occupation and house demolitions. Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated Tehran's support for Hezbollah.