Netanyahu Vows Israeli Forces Will Stay in South Lebanon Until Threat Ends

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the security zone in southern Lebanon on Tuesday alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Tamir Yadai, National Security Advisor Shmuel Ben Ezra, and Military Secretary Major General Guy Markizano. During the visit, they received an operational briefing from Northern Command Chief Major General Rafi Milo, the 91st Division commander, and brigade leaders operating in the area. They were also shown demonstrations of new weapons and drone countermeasures.

Addressing the troops, Netanyahu praised their efforts, stating they had significantly weakened the Iranian axis by striking targets inside Iran and reducing Hezbollah's missile arsenal from 150,000 rockets to about 8 percent remaining. He highlighted the elimination of 9,000 militants, including hundreds in recent weeks, and emphasized the creation of security zones inside Lebanon to prevent terrorist forces from positioning near Israel's border.

Netanyahu stressed the directive given to forces to act immediately upon identifying threats to their security, saying, "Do not wait in the face of a threat - act." He also noted that Lebanon and Israel recognize each other as sovereign states and urged Iran and Hezbollah to leave the area, calling this stance a direct challenge to the Iranian axis.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu affirmed Israel's continued military presence in southern Lebanon, declaring, "We will not leave until the threat is removed. As long as Hezbollah remains armed and threatens us, we will stay here." This visit underscores Israel's commitment to maintaining pressure on Hezbollah and securing its northern border.

Summary: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited troops in southern Lebanon, praising their efforts to weaken Hezbollah and vowing to maintain Israel's military presence there until the threat is neutralized. He emphasized proactive defense measures and called for Iran and Hezbollah to withdraw from Lebanon.

Points: - Netanyahu visits southern Lebanon security zone with top defense officials. - Israeli forces reduced Hezbollah's missile arsenal from 150,000 to about 8%. - 9,000 militants eliminated, including hundreds recently. - Security zones created inside Lebanon to prevent terrorist proximity to Israel. - Troops instructed to act immediately against threats without hesitation. - Israel will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah threat is fully removed.

Entities: People: ["Benjamin Netanyahu", "Israel Katz", "Tamir Yadai", "Shmuel Ben Ezra", "Guy Markizano", "Rafi Milo"] Organizations: ["Hezbollah", "Israeli Defense Forces", "Northern Command"] Places: ["South Lebanon", "Lebanon", "Iran", "Israel"]