Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, speaking during a visit to southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, said the IDF will not withdraw from captured territory until long-term security for the north is guaranteed. "If required, we will reach additional areas," he added, according to the army's published remarks.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, during his visit to southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, explicitly ruled out a withdrawal from captured territory until long-term security for northern Israel is assured. "If required, we will reach additional areas," he said, according to the IDF's published remarks. The statement formalizes the military's operational posture, removing any ambiguity about the conditions for a pullback.
The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday evening (19:37 Jerusalem) that Zamir told troops the campaign across all fronts is not over and the IDF is prepared to push deeper. Subsequent reports from the same visit specified that forces will not withdraw until security is guaranteed. This stance aligns with the broader government policy articulated by Defense Minister Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu during their July 1 visit to southern Lebanon (Wed Jul 1, 16:47 Jerusalem), where they stated the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza "indefinitely." Zamir's earlier visit to the Beaufort Ridge on July 6 (Mon Jul 6, 14:28 Jerusalem) emphasized expectations for the Lebanese Armed Forces to clear Hezbollah remnants.
The IDF continues to clear Hezbollah terror infrastructure south of the Litani River — a campaign that has exacted heavy casualties, including the 401st Armored Brigade. The government's policy, as reported by The Zioneer, frames the maintenance of these security zones as a critical lesson from the October 7 massacre. The Lebanese Armed Forces are expected to eventually assume security responsibility, but the Chief of Staff's remarks signal no immediate withdrawal.
The precise threshold for "long-term security" has not been publicly defined, and the timeline for any potential handover to the LAF remains unclear. Zamir's statement about reaching "additional areas" leaves open the possibility of further operational expansion.
4 developments
- DevelopingSenior Israeli security official: IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
- DevelopingMilitary analyst: IDF retains freedom of action in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal from occupied areas
- DevelopingSenior IDF officer: Withdrawal from southern Lebanon points backed by heavy air cover; troops to remain in security zone
- ConfirmedKatz: IDF will not withdraw 'a millimeter' from Lebanon until Hezbollah disarmed
Source and signal
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