Prime Minister Netanyahu said Friday that Israel maintains its security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms, describing the arrangement as a major achievement. He said the framework deals a blow to Iran, and that two pilot areas for Lebanese army deployment are underway on IDF recommendation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Friday evening that Israel will maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, calling the arrangement a 'great achievement' and a blow to Iran. In a statement that fleshed out the framework announced at 20:00 Jerusalem, Netanyahu detailed two pilot areas for Lebanese army deployment established on IDF recommendation — one of them outside the original buffer zone, north of the Litani River — while the core security zone remains closed to both Hezbollah and civilians, with IDF forces positioned outside anti-tank missile range. The prime minister framed the deal as preempting an Iranian attempt to force a unilateral Israeli withdrawal.
This evening's confirmation follows a rapid sequence of updates that The Zioneer published today, all with the same published_at of Fri 20:00 Jerusalem. The thread began with a senior official, cited by N12, stating that Israel would remain in the security zone along the 'Yellow Line' until Hezbollah and other terror groups are disarmed, with the IDF retaining full freedom of military action. Within minutes, multiple versions from the prime minister himself expanded the details: the framework agreement with the U.S. and Lebanon, the condition tying withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament, and the two pilot zones. The source quality escalated from a single unnamed official to direct, on-record prime ministerial confirmation.
As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, June 18, 300 Hezbollah targets were struck in two days and the IDF eliminated 100 operatives in response to ceasefire violations, with Netanyahu rejecting withdrawal pressure. The desk also documented on Tuesday, June 23, that the prime minister, defense minister, and IDF chief of staff jointly reaffirmed the IDF would maintain the security zone 'as long as security needs require.' On June 14, Netanyahu reportedly told President Trump that Israel is not bound by any Lebanon clause in a U.S.-Iran deal.
The precise mechanisms for implementing the pilot zones, the timeline for Lebanese army readiness, and the criteria for eventual full withdrawal from the security zone remain unspecified in the prime minister's statement.
8 developments
- StrongNetanyahu, defense chiefs reaffirm IDF will maintain security zone in southern Lebanon
- StrongNetanyahu: IDF to stay in southern Lebanon as long as needed; 300 Hezbollah targets struck in two days
- DevelopingNetanyahu declares Israel will hold security zones in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon as long as needed
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Lebanese civilians will not be allowed back into IDF-held security zone
Source and signal
- Internal intake