(June 23, 2026 \/ JNS)\n <\/p>\n
The Israel Defense Forces will stay in the security zone in Southern Lebanon, neutralize Hezbollah threats there and demolish terrorist infrastructure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu issued the joint statement with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir following a security discussion that also included the head of the military\u2019s Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe IDF will continue to act with determination in order to neutralize threats against our soldiers and our citizens, demolish terrorist infrastructure and maintain the security zone in Southern Lebanon,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe prime minister, the minister of defense and the chief of the general staff made it clear that the security of Israeli citizens and IDF forces will remain their guiding principle without compromise,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
In a separate video statement on Monday night, Katz said the IDF has \u201cfull backing\u201d and \u201ccomplete freedom of action to operate decisively against any threat\u2014in Southern Lebanon, in the Gaza Strip and anywhere else where it is necessary to defend the State of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe security of Israeli citizens and the security of our forces stand above every other consideration,\u201d the defense minister declared in Hebrew. \u201cOur soldiers and commanders are acting with courage, removing threats and defending, day and night, the residents of the north, the south and all Israeli citizens,\u201d he added. \u201cThe IDF will remain in the security zone in Lebanon in order to protect the northern communities, thwart threats and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the area, both below and above ground.\u201d<\/p>\n
Netanyahu, Katz and other senior Israeli officials, including Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar, have repeatedly stressed in recent days that IDF ground forces will continue to operate in Lebanon until the threat posed by Iranian-backed Hezbollah is neutralized.<\/p>\n