Israeli Official Rules Out Permanent Military Posts Deep in Lebanon Security Zone

A senior Israeli defense official stated on Monday that Israel has no plans to establish permanent military posts deep within the security zone in Lebanon, citing the prohibitive costs involved. The official clarified that there is a significant difference between setting up fixed positions along the "clenched fist line" near the border and extending them eight kilometers beyond it.

Over the weekend, it was reported that a team led by U.S. Marine Corps Central Command commander Joseph Clearfield, responsible for the pilot Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, is expected to arrive in Israel this week to plan the two territorial sectors from which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw. The transfer of these areas to the Lebanese army is estimated to take between one and three weeks.

The IDF has developed proposals for the next two sectors slated for withdrawal, which have been submitted to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. Zamir is expected to present these plans to the Security Cabinet for approval.

Last week, it was revealed that efforts are underway to establish a joint Israeli-Lebanese monitoring mechanism to enforce the ceasefire, as outlined in a secret security annex to the bilateral agreement. This new mechanism aims to enhance cooperation between the two militaries, likely operating through a virtual command center. The United States will continue to be involved in setting up this coordination cell, which will focus on coordinating actions to dismantle Hezbollah rather than merely investigating ceasefire violations.

U.S. authorities will vet participants in this mechanism to prevent Hezbollah from accessing sensitive information, addressing a key reason for the failure of a similar mechanism established in 2024. Additionally, behind-the-scenes talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing to define conditions for a Hezbollah-free zone, including Lebanon's decision to send a representative to Qasem Soleimani's funeral.