Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference last night (Saturday) following the framework agreement reached yesterday with the Lebanese government, which stipulates a partial withdrawal of Israel from areas under its control in southern Lebanon and their transfer to the Lebanese army. The agreement allows the IDF to remain in most of these areas until the threat posed by Hezbollah is removed.
“Dear citizens of Israel, yesterday before the start of Shabbat we achieved a historic accomplishment for the State of Israel. After direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States, we reached a framework of understandings that allows us to move forward toward ending the conflict, and with God’s help also to potentially reach a peace agreement between the two countries in the future. As part of the understandings, the United States and Lebanon recognized Israel’s right to maintain a security buffer zone, until there is no longer a threat to Israel from Lebanon.”
“I want you to know—this is a major blow to Hezbollah and to Iran, which tried to force us into withdrawing from southern Lebanon. You have been hearing these demands all the time, and also their disappointment, both theirs and Hezbollah’s. I strongly opposed the idea that we would be forced into a withdrawal. Iran has no standing here whatsoever, no involvement and no role—not them, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organization.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid: “The agreement with Lebanon allows the continued transfer of funds from Iran to Hezbollah, and does not set a timetable for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Netanyahu has once again agreed to withdraw from Lebanese territory without receiving anything in return and without achieving a separation between the Iranian and Lebanese arenas.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir: “The agreement with Lebanon is a serious mistake, I have already contacted the Prime Minister tonight requesting a cabinet vote, and I have been fighting against this agreement for weeks. Indeed, we are remaining in most of the area for now, but the Lebanese state will not disarm Hezbollah, members of Hezbollah are ministers in the Lebanese government, and it is impossible to rely on Lebanon to take Hezbollah’s weapons away—we will demand a cabinet vote. Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah, no other party will do it for us.”
