Netanyahu says Israel will remain in the security zone under Lebanon deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Saturday night addressing the agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon, after the Prime Minister’s Office said it had been concluded before the Sabbath. He called it a “great achievement” for Israel after a long round of talks in Washington involving Israeli, Lebanese and American representatives.

Netanyahu said the most important part of the deal is that “Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon,” and that this will continue as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed and Israel still faces danger. He added that the arrangement is also “a big blow to Iran,” saying Iran tried to force Israel out of southern Lebanon by force, but “Israel, Lebanon and the United States” were telling Tehran it had no role there.

He also addressed the Israeli withdrawal from two positions in southern Lebanon, which drew criticism this week after Israeli media reported it. Netanyahu said Israel was allowing the Lebanese army to begin taking up territory, and described the move as two pilot areas, both recommended by the IDF. One is south of the Litani River, outside the security zone, and the other is north of the Litani, in a small part of the expanded security area achieved in the previous two weeks.

According to Netanyahu, the IDF does not need that second area, while Israel continues to preserve the original security zone, keeping it out of anti-tank missile range and barring both Hezbollah and civilians from entering. He concluded that Israel is making clear that “our security comes first.”