Netanyahu: Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to keeping Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

Speaking on Thursday, Netanyahu said: “There are still additional challenges ahead of us, and they require calm, a firm commitment to our security interests, and maintaining the important relationship with our American friends.”

He claimed that “restoring security to northern Israel requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon and not withdrawing from it as long as Israel’s security needs require it.”

Meanwhile, US media reports said on Thursday that Israel is holding talks with the United States to ensure the continued presence of its forces in southern Lebanon, despite provisions in the memorandum of understanding that affirm Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Separately, the Israeli military announced that it would continue its operations in southern Lebanon, including what it described as the “removal of threats” outside the so-called “security zone”.

The announcement came despite the signing of a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, including in Lebanon.

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