Netanyahu: Israel to Stay in Lebanon Until Hezbollah Disarmed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is fully disarmed. The statement came during a televised briefing on Saturday, where he hailed a newly signed US-brokered agreement with Lebanon as a historic achievement.
Netanyahu described the deal as a turning point in Israel's long struggle against Iranian-backed militant groups, saying it dealt a significant blow to both Iran and Hezbollah. He emphasised that the agreement was the result of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, with the United States acting as a mediator.
“Yesterday we achieved a historic deal for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “This is a blow to Iran and Hezbollah. We are breaking the Iranian terror axis, but we are also breaking the Iranian diplomatic axis.”
The trilateral agreement, signed by Israel and Lebanon and negotiated alongside the US, reportedly allows Israeli forces to remain in a security zone roughly ten kilometres inside Lebanese territory until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated this condition in a video statement, saying, “The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no redeployment by Israel in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as the terrorist organization Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon, and the safety of the residents of the north is guaranteed.”
Hezbollah, which was not part of the negotiations, has rejected the condition. The Iranian-backed militia said it would not abide by the terms requiring its disarmament. This sets the stage for a potential standoff, as the agreement's viability hinges on Hezbollah's compliance.
Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for helping broker the deal, but was firm that Israeli troops would remain in the security zone until the threat from Hezbollah was fully removed. “We will remain in the area until Hezbollah and the rest of the terror groups are disarmed,” he said. “We will continue to hold this security zone until Hezbollah and all other terrorist organisations are fully disarmed and no longer pose any threat to Israel from Lebanese territory.”
The announcement comes amid domestic political developments. Netanyahu declared his intention to form a broader coalition government ahead of national elections due no later than October. This move appears aimed at distancing himself from both far-right and left-wing factions, as his polling numbers remain poor at home.
The agreement and Netanyahu's statements have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a necessary step to ensure Israel's security, while critics argue that the indefinite presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon could exacerbate tensions in the region. The international community is closely watching the implementation of the deal, particularly the response from Hezbollah and other regional actors.
