Israel delays pullout from southern Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and reiterated that forces will remain until any threat to Israeli security is eliminated. He warned that any detected danger must be met with immediate fire, describing the order as “unwavering and definitive.”

Israel announced that the planned withdrawal of its army from the pilot zones of Zavtar and Ferrun in southern Lebanon will be postponed. Israeli officials said the delay is linked to the establishment of a joint monitoring mechanism between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, which requires U.S. approval of its members. The postponement follows a framework agreement signed on 26 June, brokered by the United States, that envisions a phased Israeli pullout from all occupied Lebanese territory once Lebanese forces assume security responsibility and Hezbollah’s weapons are disarmed.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Selam stressed that Lebanon is not seeking armed conflict with Hezbollah and called for the full Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced residents, and reconstruction. He reiterated that the timetable for Israel’s exit will be a key focus of the next negotiation round.