Visiting south Lebanon, PM says IDF won’t withdraw ‘as long as Hezbollah remains here’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces will maintain their presence in southern Lebanon indefinitely, stating the military will not withdraw as long as the Hezbollah militant group remains armed and a threat. Speaking to troops during a visit to the security zone on Tuesday, Netanyahu emphasized that the soldiers' efforts were instrumental in achieving a recent agreement involving Israel, Lebanon, and the United States.

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If you identify a threat to your security, to your lives, or to the lives of your soldiers, act. Do not wait. Act. That is an ironclad directive.

This agreement, according to Netanyahu, mandates the disarmament of Hezbollah as a prerequisite for any Israeli withdrawal. He issued a stern directive to the soldiers: "If you identify a threat to your security, to your lives, or to the lives of your soldiers, act. Do not wait. Act. That is an ironclad directive."

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as a result of your actions here, Lebanon recognizes Israel, Israel recognizes Lebanon, describing them as “two sovereign states that want peace.”

Netanyahu asserted that recent Israeli military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah have led to this framework agreement. He described the situation as a victory, stating, "as a result of your actions here, Lebanon recognizes Israel, Israel recognizes Lebanon," portraying them as "two sovereign states that want peace." He directly addressed Iran and Hezbollah, stating, "leave this place. You have no business being here… This is a slap in the face, a punch in the face of the Iranian axis."

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We are telling both Iran and Hezbollah: leave this place. You have no business being here… This is a slap in the face, a punch in the face of the Iranian axis.

The Prime Minister further claimed significant Israeli military achievements, stating that Hezbollah's missile and rocket stock has been reduced by 92% and that 9,000 militants have been killed. He reiterated Israel's commitment to remaining in southern Lebanon until the threat is eliminated, stating, "we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has been eliminated. And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well."

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we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has been eliminated. And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well.