Prime Minister Netanyahu said Friday night that Lebanese civilians will not be permitted to return to the security zone in southern Lebanon currently held by the IDF. The statement reinforces Israel's position that it maintains control over the buffer area despite diplomatic pressure.
Prime Minister Netanyahu escalated his position Friday evening, stating that Lebanese civilians will not be permitted to return to the security zone in southern Lebanon held by the IDF. The clarification, reported by Abu Ali Express, was issued after a series of statements on Friday that had established the framework for an eventual withdrawal in two pilot areas. The new declaration explicitly bars civilian return for the duration of the IDF's hold, marking a hardening of the stance he had previously outlined.
The thread began with Netanyahu's initial Friday 21:00 Jerusalem statement emphasizing that 'our security comes first' as a framework agreement with Lebanon was about to be signed. Minutes later, he specified that Israel would remain until Hezbollah is disarmed and that the IDF had recommended two pilot areas for Lebanese army entry. The source quality evolved from a single political statement to a recorded clarification, with the security zone's civilian component now explicitly restricted. The Zioneer has previously reported Netanyahu's broader position: on Tuesday Jun 23, 14:02 Jerusalem he stated forces are not leaving; on Monday Jun 22, 23:35 Jerusalem he asserted security independence as Trump promised a quick solution; and on Thursday Jun 18, 10:17 Jerusalem he told Trump Israel would not withdraw.
As The Zioneer reported on Wed Jun 24, 19:48 Jerusalem, Netanyahu framed the buffer zone as part of existential security priorities. The Friday statements come amid the trilateral framework deal signed with the U.S. and Lebanon, which established two pilot areas for Lebanese army deployment while keeping IDF forces in place until Hezbollah's disarmament.
No details were provided on the duration of the civilian return ban or its geographic scope within the security zone. The condition set for Lebanese army entry in the pilot areas remains subject to Hezbollah's disarmament, which has no specified timeline.
4 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Israeli forces are not leaving Lebanon
- StrongNetanyahu, defense chiefs reaffirm IDF will maintain security zone in southern Lebanon
- StrongNetanyahu: IDF controls nearly 70% of Gaza Strip; vows no withdrawal from Lebanon buffer zone
- StrongNetanyahu: IDF stays in security zone in Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms; two pilot areas for Lebanese army handover
Source and signal
- Internal intake