Netanyahu Announces Major Lebanon Agreement, Says Israel Will Remain in Southern Lebanon Security Zone

“Citizens of Israel, before the Sabbath begins, I want to share with you a major achievement for the State of Israel.

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As you know, we have been conducting negotiations in Washington between representatives of Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. It has been a lengthy negotiation, and today it has borne fruit.

The most important point is that Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a major achievement, and we will maintain our presence there as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed and as long as there is a threat to the State of Israel.

This is also a major blow to Iran. Iran has been trying to force us to withdraw from southern Lebanon through pressure. In effect, Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are telling them: this is none of your business. You have no role in Lebanon—not Iran, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organization.

Another important point is that we are allowing the Lebanese Army to begin deploying and taking control of territory. We are implementing two pilot zones, both recommended by the IDF. One is entirely outside the security zone, south of the Litani River, and the other is north of the Litani. A small part of it lies within the expanded security zone that we secured over the past two weeks, and which the IDF has made clear it no longer needs.

We will continue to maintain the original security zone, beyond the range of anti-tank missiles. We will not allow Hezbollah or civilians to enter it. That remains unchanged.

Most importantly, Israel is making one thing clear: our security comes before everything else.”