Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon, despite a recently announced US-Iran agreement that calls for an end to fighting on all fronts and respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Speaking on Thursday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to hold its self-declared security zone inside Lebanese territory.
“We will restore security and prosperity to the communities of the North,” Netanyahu said.
“This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we do not withdraw from there as long as Israel’s security needs demand it.”
His remarks came as Israel published a map showing an expanded military control zone in southern Lebanon, including areas beyond previously declared buffer positions. Reuters reported that the move challenges provisions of the US-Iran memorandum that call for respect for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
According to Reuters, a senior Israeli official said Israel is engaged in “stubborn negotiations” with the Trump administration over maintaining troops up to 10 kilometers inside southern Lebanon. The official indicated that Israel does not intend to abandon its position despite diplomatic pressure.
The dispute has emerged just days after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding designed to end months of regional conflict. The agreement reportedly calls for an end to hostilities in Lebanon and requires all parties to respect Lebanese sovereignty.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has also ruled out a withdrawal. Earlier this week, he said Israeli forces would continue holding security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
“The IDF will remain in the security zones,” Katz said, adding that the military would continue operating against threats to Israel.
The policy has drawn criticism from Lebanese officials and Hezbollah, who insist that any lasting ceasefire must include a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Reuters reported that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected Israel’s continued presence and declared:
“Israel must leave, and it will leave.”
The latest disagreement highlights a growing gap between Israel’s security objectives and the provisions of the US-Iran agreement. Reuters reported that the memorandum specifically calls for ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty, while Israel continues to insist on retaining military positions inside the country.
Regional analysts have warned that the dispute could complicate efforts to transform the ceasefire into a broader political settlement. The agreement’s supporters argue that ending military operations in Lebanon is necessary to stabilize the region after months of widespread destruction and displacement.
The war has taken a devastating toll on Lebanon. Reuters reported that nearly 4,000 people have been killed and around 1.2 million displaced since hostilities escalated earlier this year. Large areas of southern Lebanon, including towns near the border and parts of Nabatieh province, have suffered extensive damage from Israeli airstrikes and military operations.
In Nabatieh, emergency workers continue recovering equipment and personal belongings from a civil defense headquarters destroyed during Israeli bombardment. Lebanese officials have said the facility was clearly marked as a civilian emergency center. Israel maintains that its operations target Hezbollah positions and infrastructure.
Despite the ceasefire framework, tensions remain high. Reuters reported that Israel has not ruled out carrying out military operations beyond its newly published security zone, while Hezbollah continues to oppose any long-term Israeli presence inside Lebanon.
For now, Netanyahu has made clear that Israel will not leave southern Lebanon unless its own security conditions are met. Critics argue that the continued military presence amounts to an occupation of Lebanese territory and risks undermining diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war in southern Lebanon.
