Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will keep forces in southern Lebanon as long as its security needs require, despite language in the U.S.-Iran memorandum calling for an end to military operations on all fronts.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel will not withdraw from its security zone in southern Lebanon, setting up a potential dispute over the meaning of the newly signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Netanyahu made the remarks as Hezbollah, Iran and U.S. officials focused on language in the agreement calling for military operations to end across all fronts, including Lebanon.
According to CBS News, a senior U.S. official who reviewed the memorandum said the agreement calls for “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” The provision also requires the parties to avoid future military action and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Hezbollah has interpreted that language as requiring Israel to leave Lebanese territory, CBS reported. The group has warned that it would consider a continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon a violation of the agreement.
Iran has taken a similar position. CBS reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week that Israeli forces remaining in Lebanon would violate the deal.
Reuters reported Tuesday that Hezbollah believes Iran will not sign a final agreement with Washington unless Israel withdraws from Lebanon. According to that report, Tehran has assured Hezbollah that it will push for an Israeli withdrawal during the next phase of negotiations.
Netanyahu rejected that interpretation Thursday during a road inauguration event, saying Israel’s security requirements will determine how long its forces remain in southern Lebanon.
“Just as we restored security and prosperity to the Gaza envelope, so we will restore security and prosperity to the northern communities,” Netanyahu said.
“This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon, and it dictates that we will not withdraw from there as long as Israel’s security needs require it,” he said.
The disagreement could complicate the Trump administration’s effort to carry out the memorandum and begin a 60-day negotiating period aimed at reaching a broader agreement with Iran.
That process is expected to address Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and regional security issues. The Lebanon provision has quickly become one of the first tests of how the agreement will be interpreted by parties directly affected by the wider conflict.
Netanyahu also thanked the United States for its support during the war, while signaling that Israel intends to maintain its own security position.
“The struggle is not yet over, and additional challenges lie ahead,” Netanyahu said, according to CBS.
“These require of us composure, a resolute stand on our security interests, and at the same time, maintaining the important connection with our American friends who fought shoulder to shoulder alongside us, and we appreciate this very much,” he said.
The Israeli position leaves a key question unresolved: whether the U.S.-Iran agreement’s call for an end to operations in Lebanon will be enforced as a demand for Israeli withdrawal, or whether Israel will be permitted to maintain its security zone while broader negotiations continue.
For now, Netanyahu’s statement makes clear that Israel does not view the memorandum as overriding what it considers essential security needs along its northern border.
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