During ongoing negotiations in Washington facilitated by the United States, Israeli officials stated on Thursday that their military will maintain its presence in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is stripped of its weapons. This stance follows recent Israeli airstrikes and ground operations initiated after the Iran-backed militia joined the regional conflict in March.
Government spokesperson David Mencer emphasized that ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens remains the primary goal. He clarified that any withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces depends entirely on the successful demilitarization of the southern region and the total disarmament of Hezbollah. Mencer noted that past failures to enforce such disarmament, specifically citing 2024, have led to Israel’s current insistence on verifiable results before any redeployment.
While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Israel and Lebanon are nearing a preliminary agreement, Israeli authorities continue to maintain a firm position. The current round of diplomatic discussions is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
