Netanyahu says Israel will remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel would remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah fully disarms, hours after the United States, Israel and Lebanon signed a trilateral framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending decades of hostilities.

Why is Israel staying in south Lebanon?

Israel is maintaining a self-declared security zone in south Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from returning. Netanyahu said Israeli forces would hold the buffer zone as long as Hezbollah remains armed and poses a threat to Israel. The Lebanese civilian population displaced from the zone will not be permitted to return under the current arrangement.

What did Netanyahu say about the south Lebanon security zone?

"The most important thing is, first of all, that Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon," Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded video shared with Israeli media. "This is a major achievement, and we will maintain it as long as Hezbollah has not disarmed." He added that Israel would not allow Hezbollah fighters or displaced civilians to re-enter the zone.

What does the US-Israel-Lebanon framework agreement include?

The agreement is the result of five rounds of Washington talks aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the signing ceremony that it "begins to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security." Specific terms were not publicly released.

Will the Lebanese army take control of areas in south Lebanon?

Netanyahu said Israel would allow the Lebanese army to assume control in two pilot areas. One is entirely outside the security zone and south of the Litani River, while the other lies north of it. He said the moves were made on the Israeli military's recommendation.

How did the latest round of fighting in Lebanon begin?

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the broader Middle East conflict on March 2, firing rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with air strikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says has killed more than 4,200 people. Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in Washington in April.

A truce announced April 17 failed to hold. A new ceasefire was declared later that month, with Tehran insisting its deal with Washington to end the broader conflict must also cover Lebanon.