01.07.2026 15:10
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that despite the framework agreement signed with Lebanon, the Israeli army will continue its occupation in the south of the country. Stating, 'We will remain in the buffer zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary,' Netanyahu also said they would work towards a peace agreement between the two countries. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, on the other hand, stated that the army would not withdraw from the occupied areas in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that despite the framework agreement signed with Lebanon, the Israeli army's occupation of the country's south will continue.
According to a report by Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Netanyahu spoke at a ceremony held for Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon.
“WE WILL STAY AS LONG AS NECESSARY”
Netanyahu said, “We will stay in the buffer zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary,” indicating that the occupation will continue.
Referring to the framework agreement reached with the Beirut administration, Netanyahu added, “For the first time in years, Israeli representatives conducted negotiations with Lebanon. We will do our best to reach a peace agreement between the two countries.”
DEFENSE MINISTER ALSO SAID THEY WILL NOT WITHDRAW
Speaking at the same ceremony, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz also emphasized that the army will not withdraw.
Katz stated, “The Israeli army will not withdraw,” asserting that the Israeli army will remain indefinitely in the “security zones” it occupies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
ISRAEL'S ATTACKS AND OCCUPATION OF LEBANON
The Israeli army launched intense airstrikes on Lebanon on March 2, occupying many towns in the south of the country. The Lebanese government announced that the number of displaced people during this process exceeded 1 million.
US President Donald Trump announced on April 24 that the 10-day temporary ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which came into effect on April 17, had been extended for an additional 3 weeks.
As a result of the third round of talks between Lebanon and Israel, held on May 14-15 under US mediation, it was decided to extend the ceasefire for 45 days as of May 17.
Following the fifth round of direct negotiations conducted in Washington, a framework agreement was signed between Lebanon and Israel on June 26.
According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 4,278 people have lost their lives and 12,196 have been injured in the attacks carried out by Israel since March 2, 2026.