Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has firmly stated that Israel will not withdraw from its security zone in southern Lebanon, despite upholding the ceasefire with Hezbollah. Saar conveyed this position to New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters during a recent conversation.
Saar's Statement on Ceasefire and Security Zone
In a post on X, Saar wrote: "We don't have territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but we will not withdraw from the security zone and expose our citizens to Hezbollah's attacks and possible invasion." He emphasized that Israel will respect the ceasefire in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah does not breach the terms.
Saar also argued that Lebanon has suffered from a long-standing erosion of its sovereignty, which he attributed to Iran's "indirect occupation" via Hezbollah. He added: "It's in the interest of both Lebanon and Israel that Hezbollah's terror state be dismantled."
Netanyahu Reaffirms Military Stance
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Saar's stance on Sunday, stating that Israeli forces would remain in the southern Lebanon security zone for as long as necessary to protect the nation's citizens. Speaking at the Jerusalem News Syndicate's International Policy Summit 2026, Netanyahu clarified: "We don't have a war with Lebanon. We have a war with Hezbollah, which terrorises Lebanon and seeks our destruction." He expressed that once the Iran-backed group is disarmed or dismantled, Israel would welcome peace with Lebanon.
Joint Operations Against Iran
Netanyahu also highlighted progress in joint operations against Iran, stating that Israel, alongside American military support, conducted the largest air strike in its history to neutralize existential threats. "We destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure," he asserted, adding that these efforts effectively "shattered Iran's terror axis."
Regarding ongoing diplomatic efforts, including US-Iran technical talks in Switzerland concerning a 14-point memorandum of understanding, Netanyahu maintained: "I pledge to you that Iran, as long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, will never have a nuclear weapon."
Consistent Message on Iran and Hezbollah
These remarks were echoed earlier at a memorial gathering for his brother, Yoni Netanyahu, where the Prime Minister reiterated that Israel will remain unyielding in its commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weaponry while maintaining persistent military pressure against its proxy in southern Lebanon.
