Netanyahu says Israel to remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday (June 26, 2026) that Israel would remain in south Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms, shortly after the announcement in Washington of a framework agreement with the United States and Lebanon.

“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,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded video shared with Israeli media shortly after the trilateral framework agreement was announced.

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The agreement — details of which were not announced — is the result of five rounds of talks in Washington aimed at ending decades of hostilities and weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The agreement “begins to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the signing ceremony.

In his video statement, Mr. Netanyahu added that Israel’s military would also allow the Lebanese army to take control of territory in two areas.

“We are implementing two pilot areas, both at the army’s recommendation. One is entirely outside the security zone and south of the Litani River, while the other is north of the Litani,” a river in south Lebanon.

Mr. Netanyahu added that Lebanese civilians displaced from the so-called “security zone” that Israeli forces established in south Lebanon won’t be allowed to return home.

“We are maintaining the original security zone at all times, outside the range of anti-tank fire. We are not allowing Hezbollah to enter it, nor are we allowing the civilian population to enter,” Mr. Netanyahu said.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the broader West Asia war on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel intended to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Israel then launched devastating air strikes and an invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,200 people.

Under U.S. pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in April in Washington, and a truce was announced on April 17 that ultimately failed to stop the fighting.

A new ceasefire was declared this month, with Tehran insisting that its deal with Washington to end the broader conflict launched by the United States and Israel in late February must include Lebanon.