In a speech made today at a meeting of local authorities in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Defense Minister said, “Israeli officials will not allow approximately 200,000 Lebanese residents to return to their homes in southern Lebanon.”
He explained his position in terms of security, saying that in previous experience when there were civilians in security zones, the Israelis were attacked with homemade bombs.
Israel and Lebanon are negotiating a “pilot” program to transfer part of the southern regions held by the Israeli army to the Lebanese army, according to Israeli officials.
This “pilot” plan is being negotiated amid the current round of negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli officials, which opened in Washington on Tuesday.
ANHA