Israeli rabbi urges army to stay in Lebanon, claims Lebanese territory belongs to Israel

Israeli Rabbi Eliyahu Zini has called on the Israeli military to maintain its presence in Lebanon, claiming that the country is part of Israel’s historical inheritance and opposing any withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Zini made the remarks during a parliamentary committee session on Monday, according to video footage circulated on social media and reports by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

“I spoke with several ministers last night. I asked them: Are you normal? On what basis are you giving up our ancestors’ heritage? All of Lebanon belongs to us,” Zini said.

According to Haaretz, Zini is the uncle of Shin Bet chief David Zini.

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His comments come amid an ongoing debate in Israel over the implementation of the US-mediated framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

The agreement, signed on Friday under US auspices, provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, beginning with two pilot areas, while the Lebanese army assumes responsibility for security in the areas vacated by Israeli forces.

Israel has maintained a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon for years, with some areas occupied for decades and others captured during subsequent military operations. During the latest offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israel’s military campaign, which began on March 2, 2026, has killed 4,247 people and wounded 12,195 others, while displacing more than one million residents.

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