Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed, despite the announcement of a new framework agreement involving Israel, Lebanon, and the United States aimed at easing tensions along the border.
In a pre-recorded video statement released shortly after the agreement was announced in Washington, Netanyahu described Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon as a major strategic achievement. He stressed that Israeli troops would stay in the security zone until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat.
The framework agreement, reached after five rounds of negotiations in Washington, is intended to lay the groundwork for long-term peace and security between Israel and Lebanon. Although the full details of the agreement have not yet been made public, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it represents an important step toward ending decades of conflict and recent cross-border violence.
Netanyahu also said Israel would permit the Lebanese Army to gradually assume control of certain areas outside the main security zone. According to him, two pilot areas have been identified as part of the arrangement, including one south of the Litani River and another north of it, based on recommendations from the Israeli military.
However, he made it clear that civilians displaced from the Israeli-controlled security zone would not be allowed to return for now. Netanyahu said the area would remain under strict security control to prevent Hezbollah fighters from re-entering or re-establishing their presence.
The latest agreement follows months of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel earlier this year. The conflict led to widespread destruction in southern Lebanon and significant casualties on both sides.
While previous ceasefire efforts failed to bring lasting peace, the new US-backed framework is being viewed as a fresh attempt to reduce tensions and create conditions for a more stable and secure border in the future.
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