Speaking Thursday evening, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel has restored security to the Gaza periphery — which he described as thriving again — and established buffer zones in Lebanon and Syria that prevent ground invasion threats. He declared Israel will not withdraw from the southern Lebanon security zone for as long as required.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Thursday evening that Israel will maintain an open-ended military presence in the buffer zone in southern Lebanon — a position he has affirmed repeatedly in recent weeks. Speaking at a combat officers' course graduation, Netanyahu framed the security zone as essential to preventing the kind of ground invasion threat that was a core concern after the October 7, 2023 attack.
Netanyahu added that the Gaza periphery, once a focal point of rocket fire and infiltration, has been restored to a level of security that allows the western Negev to flourish. The remarks come hours after wide gaps remain on a permanent ceasefire framework in Gaza, and as Hezbollah activity along the Lebanon border remains at low-level skirmishes despite the truce that ended the 2024 escalation. Netanyahu did not address the Iran nuclear track or the ceasefire talks in his brief remarks.
This bulletin was drafted from a single source — a statement circulated by the Prime Minister's Office via a monitored the source — and has not yet been independently confirmed by The Zioneer.
4 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Israel holds 60% of Gaza Strip, expects to reach 70% soon
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
- StrongNetanyahu, defense chiefs reaffirm IDF will maintain security zone in southern Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake