Netanyahu vows to restore security to North after IDF releases map of security zone locations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to re-establish security in northern Israel, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining a security strip in southern Lebanon. "We will restore security to the north," Netanyahu declared during a ceremony for the re-inauguration of Route 60. "This requires maintaining the security strip in southern Lebanon; this requires that we not withdraw as long as Israel's security needs require it."

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We will restore security to the north. This requires maintaining the security strip in southern Lebanon; this requires that we not withdraw as long as Israel's security needs require it.

Netanyahu's remarks coincided with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) releasing an infographic map of the security zone in southern Lebanon, extending approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. The IDF stated that the current ceasefire does not obligate a complete withdrawal from this zone, which is maintained for operational reasons. The army has not provided a timeline for withdrawal or specific conditions for ending its presence.

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I say it's possible to act a little more moderately. Maybe you don't need to bring down a building every time a Hezbollah member walks into it.

The IDF also noted that the maritime security zone, extending into the sea, is a continuation of the land-based buffer and aligns with a political decision to prevent threats and smuggling along the coast. These actions are aimed at removing threats and enhancing the defense of citizens in northern Israel.

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Israel's fighting Hezbollah for too long, and too many people are being killed. You don't have to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody because there's a lot of people in those apartment houses and they're not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump expressed reservations about Israel's policy in Lebanon, suggesting a more moderate approach. Trump called Netanyahu "a good man" who can be "a little too enthusiastic" and proposed that Syria should manage Hezbollah, arguing that Israel's prolonged conflict is causing too many casualties. He suggested Syria might be more effective if Israel cannot resolve the issue without significant civilian harm.

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I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah because, to be honest with you, I think they'd do a better job of doing it. If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone else, it'll do the job. Syria will do the job.