A senior diplomatic official said Saturday evening that Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's position that it will remain in the security buffer zone as long as required to protect its northern border, according to a statement reported by Israeli media.
A senior Israeli diplomatic official stated Saturday evening (Jun 20) that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's position that it will remain in the security buffer zone as long as needed to protect its northern border. The statement, as reported by a source close to the premier, continues the same line Netanyahu has held for days — reinforcing the government's security-first stance amid ongoing diplomatic discussions over the northern front.
The remark comes after a series of similar declarations from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier this week. On Monday Jun 15, Netanyahu said Israel would stay in the buffer zones 'as long as needed,' while Katz on the same day said the IDF would maintain an open-ended presence in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, and warned against withdrawal pressure, as The Zioneer reported. On Tuesday Jun 16, Katz reiterated that Israel will not leave the security zones and will retaliate against any attack. On Thursday Jun 18, Netanyahu specified that the IDF would remain in southern Lebanon 'as long as security needs require.' The Saturday evening statement is thus the latest iteration of a consistent position, without introducing new conditions or a timeline.
As The Zioneer has reported, the issue has been at the center of diplomatic discussions with the United States. On Thursday Jun 18, Netanyahu acknowledged the need to balance security interests with preserving ties with the American administration. The repeated statements from Israeli leaders appear aimed at signaling continuity to both domestic and international audiences.
The Saturday evening statement, attributed to a senior diplomatic official, did not specify the forum or meeting in which Netanyahu made the comment, nor did it provide further details. The exact timing and context of the reiteration remain unconfirmed beyond the official's account.
3 developments
- ConfirmedNetanyahu: Israel will stay in security buffer zones as long as needed to defend itself
- ConfirmedNetanyahu official: Israel to remain in southern Lebanon 'as long as needed' after 300-target counter-strike
- DevelopingNetanyahu: 'We maintain freedom of action to protect northern residents'
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
Source and signal
- Internal intake