Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the framework agreement with Lebanon is a historic achievement that paves the way for a peace agreement. In a statement Saturday evening, he said the United States and Lebanon formally recognized Israel's right to maintain a security zone, and praised Lebanon for showing courage. The remarks follow the trilateral framework signed in Washington on Friday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening went a step further than his earlier remarks, asserting in a written statement that the United States and Lebanon had formally recognized Israel's right to retain a security zone inside Lebanese territory — a claim that marks the clearest Israeli characterization yet of the trilateral framework signed Friday in Washington. Netanyahu called the framework a "historic achievement" that opens the door to a permanent peace treaty, and praised Lebanon for showing "great courage."
The statement is the latest in a series of Israeli official responses that have evolved over the past 24 hours. At 19:13 Jerusalem on Saturday, Defense Minister Israel Katz called the framework a historic achievement but stressed that the IDF will not withdraw until Hezbollah is fully disarmed nationwide. At 20:00 Jerusalem, two thread items — both timed to Friday evening — show Netanyahu first describing the framework as a "great achievement" and confirming Israel's security zone policy. By 20:57 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported Netanyahu presenting the two pilot zones for initial IDF withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment. The new statement now adds the claim of U.S. and Lebanese recognition of Israel's security zone rights — an element not present in earlier official accounts.
As The Zioneer reported Friday evening at 21:07 Jerusalem, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally announced the framework in Washington, calling it "the first step and the hardest one" toward peace. U.S. State Department officials described the agreement as a path to lasting peace and stability, according to a statement reported Friday night. Israeli officials have framed the deal as a major blow to Iran's influence in Lebanon — a theme Netanyahu reiterated throughout Saturday.
What remains open is the precise nature of U.S. and Lebanese recognition of Israel's security zone rights — whether it constitutes a formal diplomatic commitment or a more general acknowledgment — and whether the deal's implementation timeline and the scope of Hezbollah's disarmament will match Israeli demands.
15 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Israel establishing buffer zone in southern Lebanon, will prevent Iran nuclear arms
- StrongNetanyahu at brother's memorial: We'll stay in Lebanon buffer zone as long as needed
- StrongNetanyahu sees Lebanon deal as major setback for Iran, pushes for broad coalition
- DevelopingNetanyahu declares Israel will hold security zones in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon as long as needed
Source and signal
- Internal intake