Netanyahu ties the stay of Israeli forces in south Lebanon to Hezbollah's disarmament

⏱️ Timeline

1. 18 Oct 2026, 12:58 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces will keep staying in what he described as the "security zone" in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled, stressing he does not trust the Lebanese government to disarm the group and that Israel will continue carrying out operations against Hezbollah "whenever needed". He said the group has become weaker after having possessed about 150,000 rockets and guided missiles aimed at Israel.
2. 18 Oct 2026, 13:27 In a radio interview, Netanyahu linked the continued presence of Israeli forces inside the "security zone" in southern Lebanon to Hezbollah's disarmament and the dismantling of its military capabilities, stressing he does not trust the Lebanese government to carry out this task, that Israeli operations against the group will continue "whenever needed", and that the ultimate goal is to eliminate it, saying the group has become weaker than it was.
3. 18 Oct 2026, 14:25 In an interview with Israeli "Radio North", Netanyahu said Israel is committed to keeping the security belt inside Lebanese territory and that the Israeli army will not withdraw from it as long as Hezbollah keeps its weapons, casting doubt on the Lebanese government's ability to disarm the group, affirming that military operations against it will continue when needed and that the ultimate goal is to eliminate it, linking this to the Iran file.

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