Benjamin Netanyahu Says IDF Will Remain In Southern Lebanon With Full Freedom Of Action

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the IDF retains "full freedom of action" to thwart any direct or emerging threat to its fighters in southern Lebanon or to residents of the North.

Netanyahu added that "we will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary to protect the residents of the North and all citizens of the country," while the Jerusalem Post reported Israel is contemplating a "symbolic" Lebanon withdrawal.

Anadolu Ajansi

An Egyptian Independent report said Israel is considering announcing "symbolic" withdrawals from occupied territory in southern Lebanon as part of upcoming talks, with the pullback of some forces from minor areas over the so-called Yellow Line.

The Egyptian Independent also reported that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz denied on Sunday that the Israeli military would withdraw from Beaufort Castle, and that Katz and Netanyahu vowed Israel will not withdraw from what they describe as a security zone in southern Lebanon.

The same report said Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Rodolphe Haykal separately visited southern Lebanon on Sunday.

Haaretz, as quoted by الجزيرة نت | West Asian, said extending the ceasefire with Lebanon for an additional 45 days provides a temporary solution to Beirut's condition for continuing negotiations but does not guarantee addressing core issues.

The same report said there has not yet been an Israeli withdrawal, nor a timetable, nor the full return of the displaced, nor the release of Lebanese detainees, nor the start of border demarcation talks.

Asharq Al-Awsat English

On the Israeli side, i24NEWS said Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a clarification on X stating: "Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon."

i24NEWS also reported that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from US Vice President JD Vance, Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, and the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, with discussion focused on consolidating the ceasefire and halting Israeli escalation.

The i24NEWS account further said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Fox News that "it is impossible to talk about peace when Hezbollah has hijacked Lebanon," calling for Iran's removal and the organization's disarmament.

While Lebanon negotiations proceed, the Armenian-language outlet ԱՐՑԱԽ ԼՐԱՏՎԱԿԱՆ | West Asian said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel Tuesday through Thursday to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to discuss the Iran accord with Gulf allies.

The same source said Rubio will also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, described as a grouping of six Sunni monarchies that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, with State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott saying so on Monday.

In the context of the Lebanon track, the outlet said the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a joint high-level telephone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun involving Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Vice President JD Vance.

The report said the call aimed to review political and diplomatic tracks focused on strengthening adherence to the recently brokered ceasefire in Lebanon, and that Qatar highlighted its commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Separately, the same source described Netanyahu’s stance that "Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action" as a reaffirmation that troops would remain deployed for as long as deemed necessary, even as diplomatic mechanisms were discussed.