Netanyahu vows to maintain IDF presence in Lebanon even as issue rocks US-Iran talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to keep Israeli troops in the south Lebanon security zone “for as long as necessary” to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah, as the issue threatened to derail talks between the US and Iran, which began in Switzerland earlier in the day.

Israel and Hezbollah traded heavy fire over the weekend, killing several IDF soldiers and dozens of Lebanese, though the fighting halted midday Saturday after Israel’s political leadership instructed the IDF to “hold its fire,” reportedly under heavy pressure from the US, which feared the collapse of the Iran talks.

Israel and Lebanon, meanwhile, are set to hold another round of direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, with the IDF reportedly pushing for intensified negotiations in fear that the US-Iran talks could effectively hamper its ability to act against Hezbollah.

“We have achieved tremendous accomplishments, and we will not relinquish them,” the premier said in a Hebrew-language statement Sunday afternoon.

“We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary, in order to protect the dear residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel [from Hezbollah attacks],” he added.

“As prime minister of Israel, I insist on this unequivocally, and nothing will change it,” Netanyahu said, alluding to his conflict with US President Donald Trump over Israel’s fight against the Iran-backed terror group as Washington looks to sign a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities with Tehran.

“As long as we need to protect our people, we will remain in the security zone in South Lebanon,” he reiterated at an address later Sunday, saying: “The reason is perfectly understood. No country would be asked to do otherwise.”

“What would America do?” he asked rhetorically. “Would it say, ‘Well, there’s nothing we can do? Let’s hold our fire’? Is that what America would say? No! You know damn well what America would do. It would cross the border, create a security zone, kill the terrorists, and protect its people until the threat is removed. That’s exactly what we are doing.”

Netanyahu’s comments were preceded by a similar statement from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who said Sunday that the military’s objective in southern Lebanon remained “clear and unchanged — defending the northern communities and the citizens of Israel.”

“We are directing all of our efforts to that end. The activity in the Ali Taher and Beaufort areas is also intended to serve this purpose,” he said during a visit to southern Lebanon Sunday, in remarks published by the army.

Zamir claimed that Hezbollah is in a “very difficult situation” after several midlevel commanders in the terror group were killed in the past two days.

“The ceasefire that has been declared is fragile, and we must remain at a high level of readiness for the renewal of combat operations, the thwarting of threats, and a rapid transition to offensive action if required. All IDF resources are allocated to this,” he added.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said soldiers operating in southern Lebanon have “no restrictions” in eliminating threats to the forces, and that “all of the IDF’s achievements in the campaign in Lebanon are being maintained,” alluding to the ongoing presence in the security zone.

“The ceasefire announced yesterday leaves the IDF in all positions within the security zone that protects the northern communities,” he said, adding that the IDF “will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon.”

As the new truce appeared to hold, the IDF Home Front Command said Sunday that it would soon be lifting all restrictions on communities near the Lebanon border.

Gatherings had been restricted in northern border communities to 100 people outdoors and 400 indoors. Following a fresh assessment, the Home Front Command said that from 6 a.m. Monday, the restrictions would be lifted.

Hezbollah has not carried out attacks on Israeli territory since last Sunday; however, it has continued to target troops in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah, Iran say IDF deployment violates MOU

After the statements from the Israeli officials, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem released his own statement in a televised address, rejecting Israel’s security zone outright.

Israeli troops “remaining on Lebanese land is impossible,” he said.

“There are no security zones for Israel… we have a national army that deploys, and it is responsible for preserving sovereignty, and it is who we cooperate with,” Qassem said.

“Israel is an aggressor and must leave,” he added.

Earlier Sunday, Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim reported that Tehran would suspend all negotiations with the US if Israel does not withdraw from south Lebanon.

The agency said it has “learned” that if Article 1 in the temporary deal with Washington is not met, “namely, ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” talks will be halted.

Without implementation of Article 1, “negotiations are fundamentally meaningless,” Tasnim said.

Israel said to mull ‘small’ pullout as IDF pushes for intensified talks

Amid the back and forth over Israel’s deployment in southern Lebanon, Channel 12 reported Sunday evening, citing senior officials, that Israel was considering “small withdrawals” from some areas it currently holds, including the Beaufort ridge area, which the IDF captured last month.

According to the report, consultations between the political and defense establishment were held on the topic late Saturday and into Sunday, with officials discussing the possibility that the US would request a troop withdrawal from south Lebanon.

“No withdrawal request has been received from the Americans,” an official told Channel 12, insisting that Israel would not fully pull out of Lebanon and adding: “The yellow line is a red line,” in reference to the official line of IDF deployment, which troops have since pushed past in several areas.

Additionally, the outlet reported that the IDF has been urging Israel’s political echelon to intensify negotiations with the Lebanese government amid fears that ongoing US-Iran talks will hamper its offensive against Hezbollah.

Since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last week, kickstarting negotiations toward a final deal, Iran has been insisting that Israel halt its military operation in Lebanon as a precondition for talks.

A senior security official told the outlet that “another attempt” by Israel to “separate between the theaters [Iran and Lebanon] will worsen our situation with the United States.”

“We need to be cautious about our moves in Lebanon so that it doesn’t get us in trouble,” the source said.

According to the report, the IDF is currently insisting on two specific aims in Lebanon: preserving a buffer zone in the country’s south and succeeding in destroying a major underground Hezbollah facility underneath the Ali Taher ridge, near Nabatieh.

At the same time, the army is urging the government to raise the level of its delegation in Washington and speed up talks with the Lebanese government, the report said.

The goal of these intensified negotiations would be to isolate Hezbollah and reach a potential agreement with Beirut on its own terms, rather than face the prospect of American pressure to act in accordance with Iranian demands, it added.