Netanyahu Says Israeli Forces Will Not Withdraw From Southern Lebanon Security Zone While He Is Prime Minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would not withdraw from a “security zone” in southern Lebanon as long as he remains in office, and said Israel would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. According to Jin10, Netanyahu made the remarks in a speech to Israel’s Federation of Local Authorities on June 24, local time, while discussing Israel’s military operations and security policy on multiple fronts. Netanyahu said that although Hezbollah still exists, Israeli forces have established a “security zone” in southern Lebanon. He said the military is working to comprehensively destroy Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure and to cut off the possibility of cross-border entry into the Galilee region. He added that, while he is prime minister, Israel would maintain the “security zone” indefinitely.