Israel Plans Extended Stay In Lebanon
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said Israeli forces have been instructed to prepare for an extended stay in a security zone in southern Lebanon, despite a new U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel Defence Minister Signals Extended Lebanon Stay
Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for a prolonged deployment in the security zone in southern Lebanon.
The area referred to by Israeli officials extends several kilometres inside Lebanese territory and is being presented by Israel as a buffer against Hezbollah attacks. Katz said Israel would not redeploy or withdraw from southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed across the country.
Hezbollah Disarmament Tied To Israeli Withdrawal
The Israeli position makes Hezbollah’s disarmament a central condition for any full military pullback. Katz said the main principle in the agreement was that Israel would not withdraw while Hezbollah continued to operate as an armed group in Lebanon.
The statement reflects Israel’s long-standing demand that Hezbollah be removed from areas near the Israeli border. It also places major pressure on Lebanon’s government, which faces the challenge of implementing any security arrangement while Hezbollah remains a powerful military and political force.
Israel-Lebanon Framework Faces Early Test
The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement is aimed at reducing hostilities and creating a pathway toward longer-term security arrangements. However, Israel’s decision to prepare for an extended stay in southern Lebanon could complicate the implementation of the deal.
Hezbollah has already opposed any arrangement that links Israeli withdrawal to its disarmament. The disagreement leaves the framework facing an early test, with the future of southern Lebanon likely to depend on whether the parties can agree on security control, withdrawal timelines and the role of the Lebanese army.
