Israel Says It Will Stay in Southern Lebanon Until Hezbollah Is Disarmed

Energy Minister and cabinet member Eli Cohen said in a Thursday interview on Channel 14’s Open Studio that Israel does not intend to withdraw from the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon anytime soon. He said the military presence there is essential to protect northern residents, prevent infiltration and anti-tank fire, and maintain an effective barrier.

Cohen said any withdrawal depends on a fundamental change in Hezbollah’s posture across the border. “Until Hezbollah disarms, we will not withdraw,” he said, adding that Israel will not compromise on civilian security while the threat remains in Lebanon. He said the army’s presence is meant to be long term.

Responding to a Reuters report that U.S. officials had confirmed Israeli withdrawals from some areas in southern Lebanon, Cohen denied that Israel is pulling back. He said the IDF is only making local deployment adjustments to stabilize its positions for a long stay, explaining that in some places it is moving slightly forward or slightly back, but not carrying out a broad retreat.

Cohen also said Israel is prepared to hold firm even if President Donald Trump or other American officials pressure it to leave. “Even if Trump approaches us, or any other person in the United States, we will tell him ‘Don’t,’” he said, adding that this is a cabinet-backed recommendation. He framed the Lebanon policy as part of a broader wartime doctrine of moving the fighting onto enemy territory, including Syria, Gaza and Lebanon, rather than merely reacting to attacks.