JERUSALEM - The Israeli army will not complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by a Monday deadline, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday, saying Lebanon has not yet fully enforced the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be flying high. Israel’s enemies across the region have been badly weakened during 15 months of war.

The Israeli prime minister has to navigate complicated domestic politics with his aim of destroying Hamas and the need to keep the US on side.

The problem for Netanyahu is Netanyahu. Consumed by the desire to stay in power, he has been wedged between overwhelming public demand for the hostages to be released, and those who keep him in power—his coalition partners.

In a speech as Israel awaited the release of the first hostages on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said both president Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the president-elect, had promised him Israel had the right to resume the fighting “in new ways and with very great power” if Hamas violated the deal.

Officials close to the matter told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad -- David Barnea -- arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a critical round of talks.

Rubio said the US will continue to work “tirelessly” to help free the remaining hostages in Gaza. Read more at straitstimes.com.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to reiterate Washington's support for its ally, and the two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that Israel may not meet the withdrawal deadline from Lebanon set in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The Trump administration has indicated support for extending the timeline,

IDF Chief Herzi Halevi announced his resignation, citing responsibility for Oct. 7 attack failures. His departure intensifies calls for accountability, placing pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Israel's top general on Tuesday became the highest-ranking official to resign over Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack, the worst security failure in the country's history.