Netanyahu says Israel to remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms

Published June 26, 2026 Updated June 26, 2026 11:38pm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms, shortly after the announcement in Washington of a framework agreement with the United States and Lebanon, AFP reports.

“The most important thing is, first of all, that Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a major achievement, and we will maintain it as long as Hezbollah has not disarmed,” Netanyahu has said in a pre-recorded video shared with Israeli media.

Netanyahu adds that Israel’s military will also allow the Lebanese army to control territory in “two pilot areas”: one south of Lebanon’s Litani River and another north of it.