Israel To Maintain Presence In South Lebanon Until Hezbollah Disarms Completely

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially declared that Israel will maintain a military presence in South Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed. This firm stance follows the recent announcement of a trilateral framework agreement involving the United States and Lebanon, aimed at restoring stability to the troubled region.

In a pre-recorded video statement addressed to the public, Netanyahu characterized the continued occupation of the designated security zone in South Lebanon as a vital achievement. He emphasized that this strategic maneuver is essential to ensure long-term regional security while the disarmament process remains incomplete. This decision was revealed shortly after diplomatic efforts in Washington, which involved five rounds of intense negotiations aimed at resolving decades of ongoing hostilities and recent weeks of active combat.

Strategic Security Measures and Regional Impact

The framework agreement, described by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a foundational step toward lasting peace, includes specific provisions for military operations. Netanyahu confirmed that Israel will permit the Lebanese Army to assume control in two specific pilot areas. One of these regions is situated south of the Litani River, while the other is located to the north. These specific zones were selected based on direct recommendations from the military command.

However, the Israeli premier was clear regarding the civilian population. Residents who were previously displaced from the established security zone will not be permitted to return to their homes at this time. Netanyahu explained that the military is committed to maintaining the original security perimeter at all times to keep areas outside the range of potential anti-tank fire. The objective is to strictly prevent Hezbollah from infiltrating these territories and to ensure that civilian presence is managed securely.

The conflict intensified significantly on March 2, when Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks against Israel, citing the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes as the motivation. The subsequent Israeli military response, including an invasion and extensive air strikes, has reportedly resulted in over 4,200 fatalities according to figures from Lebanon. While a previous truce announced on April 17 failed to halt the fighting, this new agreement—backed by pressure from the United States and alignment with Tehran—seeks to finally bring an end to the broader conflict that escalated late in February.

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