Tel Aviv, Israel – Web Desk: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will maintain their presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon, emphasizing that any withdrawal will only be considered based on Israel’s security needs .
In a statement, Netanyahu said that military presence in southern Lebanon is essential for protecting Israel’s northern communities and all citizens. “As long as we deem it necessary, Israeli forces will remain there, and there will be no change to this policy,” he stated .
Iran Nuclear Program
The Prime Minister also addressed Iran’s nuclear program, vowing that under his leadership, Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He claimed that Israel had achieved “significant objectives” during the recent tensions in the Middle East and had succeeded in preventing Iran from gaining nuclear capability .
“If Israel and its allies had not acted, Iran would today be much closer to acquiring nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said. He added that joint US-Israeli operations had inflicted severe damage on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the effects of which would be felt for a long time .
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected Israel’s position, stating that Lebanon would not accept Israeli military presence on its soil. “Any violation of the ceasefire agreement will be met with an appropriate response,” he warned .
Qassem also accused Israel of attempting to persuade the United States to take action against Iran, but said that strategy had failed to achieve the desired results. “Despite all the pressure, Iran has emerged stronger and more organized than before,” he said .
Regional Implications
Political observers warn that Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon could further escalate regional tensions, while Hezbollah’s defiant stance has raised concerns about the possibility of renewed conflict .
Analysts suggest that the situation in Lebanon, combined with Israel’s security policies and rising tensions with Iran, could have profound implications for the Middle East’s political landscape in the coming days .
