Story perspectives

Israel Refuses Pull-Back, Keeps Troops in Southern Lebanon

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israeli officials rejected reports of a troop pull-back, insisting the IDF will stay in the southern Lebanon security zone despite U.S. pressure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the troops will remain “for as long as necessary” to protect northern Israeli communities.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Beaufort ridge is integral, 200,000 displaced Lebanese will not be resettled there, and a full withdrawal is politically untenable until after the elections.

History

Historical Context

In May 2000 Israel ended its 22-year security-zone occupation of southern Lebanon, a pullout UN-certified on 16 June 2000 after roughly one-million Lebanese had been displaced. The withdrawal collapsed the South Lebanon Army and boosted Hezbollah’s standing. Today Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz refuse U.S. pressure to repeat the pullback, keeping troops on the Beaufort ridge amid renewed regional tension.

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Story summary

Israeli officials rejected reports of a troop pull-back, insisting the IDF will stay in the southern Lebanon security zone despite U.S. pressure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the troops will remain “for as long as necessary” to protect northern Israeli communities.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Beaufort ridge is integral, 200,000 displaced Lebanese will not be resettled there, and a full withdrawal is politically untenable until after the elections.

1 / 2