Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the framework agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon in Washington.
He emphasized that this agreement will allow Israel to maintain the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon.
As long as Hezbollah is not disarmed and a threat to the State of Israel exists, we will maintain that security zone. This is also a major blow to Iran. Iran is trying to force us out of here by force. But in fact, Israel, Lebanon, and the US are telling Iran that this is none of your business. You have no role in Lebanon. Neither you, nor Hezbollah, nor any terrorist organization.
The Israeli Prime Minister noted that the Lebanese army has been given the opportunity to prepare to take control of certain areas. Based on the recommendation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), two pilot zones will be formed.
One of them is located south of the Litani River and is completely outside the initial security zone. The other is a small area north of the Litani River, within the expanded security zone that we have taken control of over the past two weeks. The IDF states that this area is no longer needed.
B. Netanyahu noted that the Israeli army maintains the initial security zone, which covers the range of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missiles.
We do not allow either Hezbollah or the Lebanese population to enter that area. The most important thing is that Israel says: our security is paramount.