Israel says will only withdraw troops from Lebanon after Hezbollah disarmed

Israel said Thursday it would only withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon after Hezbollah was disarmed.

The statement came as Israeli and Lebanese officials held US-mediated talks in Washington following months of Israeli strikes and a ground presence in southern Lebanon.

Will Israel withdraw troops from Lebanon?

Israel will not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed and demilitarized, government spokesman David Mencer said. He said any redeployment of Israeli forces must come after, not before, Hezbollah's disarmament. Mencer pointed to a similar commitment in 2024 that Hezbollah failed to follow through on.

"We will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat, are not disarmed and are not demilitarized," Mencer said in a briefing to journalists.

Why has Israel sent troops into southern Lebanon?

The Israeli military launched widespread airstrikes in Lebanon and sent troops into the country's south after Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in March. The Iran-backed militia joined the conflict on the side of its patron, prompting Israel's military response. Israel has maintained its position in southern Lebanon since then.

What is happening in the US-mediated talks?

Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in Washington in April. The latest three-day round of talks was due to wrap up Thursday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two neighbous were close to making a "commitment of intent."

Mencer said Israel's responsibility is to its northern citizens and to the whole of the country. He said Israel will not allow any terrorist force near its border, which means redeployment of Israeli forces only follows the demilitarization of southern Lebanon and the disarming of Hezbollah. "We've already been in this situation in 2024," he added. "Hezbollah were supposed to be disarmed. They weren't."