Netanyahu Vows Israel Will Not Withdraw From Southern Lebanon Security Zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will keep forces in the security zone in southern Lebanon, saying, "We will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon."

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Al Jazeera

Netanyahu made the pledge at the graduation ceremony for IDF officer cadets, asserting that "The two operations carried out against Iran have achieved tremendous success" and that Israel has "eliminated an immediate threat" and "broken the wall of fear."

Al Jazeera

Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the stance by warning that any Iranian retaliation would provoke a decisive military response, and he rejected calls for withdrawal from areas under IDF control.

Katz said, "The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for as long as necessary to protect our citizens and our communities from jihadist organizations," framing the continued presence as protection for soldiers and communities.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel quickly refused to commit to provisions of an American-Iranian agreement calling for an immediate and permanent halt to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.

In that account, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Monday that his forces would remain in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip for an indefinite period, and he said, "Myself and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pursuing a clear policy to keep the Israeli army in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an indefinite period."

i24NEWS

Al Jazeera also quoted Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir saying via Telegram that the Trump agreement does not obligate Israel, adding, "we are not a party to it, and it does not guarantee our security."

On the ground, Al Jazeera said Lebanese authorities warned displaced people not to rush back home, while the National News Agency reported intermittent Israeli artillery shelling despite the agreement.

Mont Carlo Internationale described Israeli anger over the Tehran–Washington deal and said Katz confirmed there would be no withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an indefinite period.

“- i24NEWS - Israel - Defense News - 'We will not withdraw': Netanyahu vows Israel will keep forces in southern Lebanon 'We will not withdraw': Netanyahu vows Israel will keep forces in southern Lebanon Speaking at the graduation ceremony for IDF officer cadets, Netanyahu said Israel's recent military actions had eliminated immediate threats and reshaped the country's security landscape Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed on Thursday that Israel will maintain its military presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon, dismissing calls for a withdrawal and emphasizing that recent operations against Iran have significantly strengthened Israel's strategic position”

i24NEWS

In that report, Katz said, "The area will be cleared of the local residents, and the terrorist infrastructure will be destroyed above and below ground," while also stressing that Tel Aviv opposes withdrawal from Lebanon despite pressures.

The same source said hardline ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attacked the agreement as "bad" and called for continuing to escalate the military operation in Lebanon.

Al Jazeera added that Netanyahu stated Israeli forces will maintain a presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for “as long as required” at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel.