Netanyahu Visits Occupied Lebanon, Vows Israel Won’t Withdraw

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited territory in southern Lebanon occupied by the Israeli military on Tuesday, telling Israeli troops that Israel would not withdraw as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah continued to pose a threat.

According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, he said: “Our insistence is that we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is removed.”

He added: “And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well.”

First Visit Since U.S.-Mediated Security Deal

The trip was Netanyahu’s first visit to occupied Lebanese territory since the Israeli and Lebanese governments reached a U.S.-mediated security agreement last Friday. Under that agreement, Israel is expected to hand over two areas to the Lebanese army. Netanyahu was accompanied by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials.

Israel to Withdraw From Two 'Pilot Zones'

The U.S.-backed arrangement calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from two so-called “pilot zones” and allow the Lebanese armed forces to take control of those areas. However, few details have been made public about how the plan will be implemented.

Israel invaded Lebanon after Hezbollah fired on Israel on March 2, saying the attack was in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

The fighting expanded into a regional conflict that killed thousands of people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, but also in Gulf countries and Israel.

Buffer Zone Created Along Border

Israel’s military has established a 10-kilometre (6-mile) buffer zone inside Lebanon along the entire Israeli border.

Read More: Netanyahu Advocates for Israel's Defense Independence

Israeli officials say the zone is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks.

The military has also carried out raids in villages, destroyed buildings, and displaced local residents. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including underground tunnels.

Casualties and Displacement

According to the report:

• More than 4,000 Lebanese have been killed since March.

• Over one million people have been displaced.

• At least 32 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians have been killed by Hezbollah, most of them in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu’s Claims on Hezbollah

Netanyahu told troops that Hezbollah still possesses around 12,000 rockets and missiles.

He also said the Israeli military had killed 9,000 Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, appearing to refer to the period since March 2. He did not provide a specific timeframe.

Hezbollah does not publish official casualty figures. Reuters reported on May 4 that several thousand Hezbollah fighters had been killed during the conflict.

Iran Talks and Ceasefire Efforts

On Tuesday, Iran said it would not meet directly with senior U.S. envoys who had traveled to Qatar for talks, raising new uncertainty about efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.

Iran has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of its negotiations with the United States to end the wider war that began in February.

Israel, which is not directly involved in those negotiations, opposes linking the conflict in Lebanon to the war involving Iran.

Ceasefire Under Pressure From Washington

Under pressure from the United States, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah on June 19, though violence has continued. Hezbollah has repeatedly objected to the negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and is not participating in the talks.