The Israeli military has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon near the border since agreeing to the U.S.-backed ceasefire with Hezbollah in November. Israel was to withdraw its forces within two months and Lebanon's armed forces were to take control of the country's south, territory that has long been a stronghold for Hezbollah.

Lebanon will come up with a plan on August 31 to convince Hezbollah to disarm, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and Lebanon Thomas Barrack said on Tuesday. Israel will give a counterproposal when it receives Lebanon's plan,

Israel said it’s willing to start withdrawing its troops from Lebanon if the government there follows through with a plan to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah by year’s end.