📰 2 sources 4 articles · 18 Oct 2026, 12:58 → 43 minutes ago

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces will continue to remain in what he described as the "security zone" in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled. In a radio interview, he stressed that he does not trust the Lebanese government to carry this out, that Israeli operations against Hezbollah will continue "whenever needed," and that Hezbollah has become weaker than before.

📍 Where things stand: The Israeli position remains contingent on the condition of disarming Hezbollah, with no withdrawal from southern Lebanon announced.

⏱️ Timeline

18 Oct 2026, 12:58 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces will continue to remain in what he described as the "security zone" in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled, stressing that he does not trust the Lebanese government to disarm the party and that Israel will continue carrying out operations against Hezbollah "whenever needed."
18 Oct 2026, 13:19 A Lebanese report said Israel has linked withdrawal to a decisive condition, and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu places Hezbollah at the center of the equation.
18 Oct 2026, 13:27 In a radio interview, Netanyahu linked the continued presence of Israeli forces inside the "security zone" to disarming Hezbollah and dismantling its capabilities, describing the ultimate goal as eliminating the party, and saying Hezbollah has become weaker than it was, having previously possessed about 150,000 rockets and guided missiles aimed at Israel.

Timeline written by AI from the sources below; updated as new reports arrive.

سكاي نيوز عربيةlebanon debateLebanon Debate

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📅 2026-10-18

Lebanon Debate 14:25

Netanyahu: We will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah keeps its weapons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli Radio North that Israel insists on keeping the security zone inside Lebanese territory and that the Isra…

Lebanon Debate 13:27

Decisive Israeli condition for withdrawal... Netanyahu puts Hezbollah at the heart of the equation

In a radio interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the continued presence of Israeli forces inside what he described as the "security zone" in southern Lebanon …

lebanon debate 13:19

A Decisive Israeli Condition for Withdrawal... Netanyahu Puts Hezbollah at the Heart of the Equation

A Lebanese report says Israel has tied withdrawal to a decisive condition, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placing Hezbollah at the heart of the equation, with no fu…

سكاي نيوز عربية 12:58

Netanyahu unveils his plan for south Lebanon.. and links withdrawal to disarming Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces will continue to remain in what he described as the "security zone" in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed a…