Lebanese army must clear Hezbollah from Yellow Line to Litani River, Katz says

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a pilot program for IDF withdrawals from southern Lebanon, focusing on areas between the Yellow Line and the Litani River. This phased withdrawal is contingent on the Lebanese Armed Forces effectively removing Hezbollah presence from these zones.

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Israel will only partially, not fully, withdraw from any of its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza.

Katz conveyed to US CENTCOM Chief Adm. Brad Cooper that Israel intends only partial withdrawals from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. This indicates a strategic approach where Israel will maintain some level of security presence, rather than a complete disengagement from all areas.

The defense minister outlined a multi-stage process for potential withdrawals. The initial phase involves limited withdrawals into southern Lebanon. Subsequent stages depend on Hezbollah's removal from areas taken over by the Lebanese army. A final stage might see Israel maintaining a limited security zone within southern Lebanon, though the exact parameters remain undecided.

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Currently, there are 2,500 Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon who need to be cleared out.

Katz highlighted the significant presence of Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, estimating around 2,500 operatives. He specified that 1,200 are located south of the Litani River, and an additional 1,300 are positioned north of the Litani but south of the Zahrani River. The minister also reported extensive destruction in Lebanese villages near the border, attributing it to the widespread presence of Hezbollah weaponry.

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Around 100% of Lebanese villages near the border with Israel in the central and western areas were destroyed after Hezbollah weapons were found throughout.