(Israel, 28th) Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the US-brokered agreement reached with Lebanon, calling it a historic achievement and a heavy blow to arch-enemies Iran and Hezbollah.
According to AFP, on Saturday (June 27), Netanyahu said: "Yesterday (26th)... after direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, we have reached a historic agreement for the State of Israel. This is a blow to Iran and Hezbollah."
However, he reiterated that the Israeli military would continue to be stationed in the so-called "security zone" about 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory. "We will remain stationed in this area until Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations are disarmed."
Netanyahu said that both the United States and Lebanon recognize Israel's right to maintain a security zone in Lebanon, "as long as the security zone remains necessary to safeguard the safety of both sides."
He also stated that since the "beginning of the war," the Israeli army has killed over 9,000 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, with more than 200 killed in the past two weeks alone, and is actively clearing Hezbollah military infrastructure throughout the "security zone."
However, Hezbollah leader Qassem called the agreement "an insult, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty," warning that the agreement could lead to Israel annexing southern Lebanon.
He said that the agreement is invalid and should be replaced by a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
Although Qassem criticized the agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Katz insisted that as long as Hezbollah remains armed, the Israeli army can continue to be stationed in Lebanon.
He has instructed the Israeli military "to prepare for a long-term presence in southern Lebanon," and that "as long as Hezbollah, this terrorist organization, is not disarmed throughout Lebanon, Israel will not redeploy or withdraw troops from southern Lebanon."
After four days of negotiations among diplomats from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, a trilateral framework agreement was reached on Friday. Following the signing, US Secretary of State Rubio said in a statement that the agreement establishes a "clear and orderly process" for dismantling Hezbollah's armed forces and controlled infrastructure, and that the US will lead a military working group to assist with implementation.
He revealed that the US would provide substantial resources, including an immediate allocation of US$100 million (about RM414 million), to coordinate with the United Nations to provide humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people; the US will also allocate US$30 million to help the Lebanese army "more effectively establish sovereignty within Lebanon."
However, he reiterated that the Israeli military would continue to be stationed in the so-called "security zone" about 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory. "We will remain stationed in this area until Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations are disarmed."
Netanyahu said that both the United States and Lebanon recognize Israel's right to maintain a security zone in Lebanon, "as long as the security zone remains necessary to safeguard the safety of both sides."
He also stated that since the "beginning of the war," the Israeli army has killed over 9,000 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, with more than 200 killed in the past two weeks alone, and is actively clearing Hezbollah military infrastructure throughout the "security zone."
However, Hezbollah leader Qassem called the agreement "an insult, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty," warning that the agreement could lead to Israel annexing southern Lebanon.
He said that the agreement is invalid and should be replaced by a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran.
Although Qassem criticized the agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Katz insisted that as long as Hezbollah remains armed, the Israeli army can continue to be stationed in Lebanon.
He has instructed the Israeli military "to prepare for a long-term presence in southern Lebanon," and that "as long as Hezbollah, this terrorist organization, is not disarmed throughout Lebanon, Israel will not redeploy or withdraw troops from southern Lebanon."
After four days of negotiations among diplomats from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, a trilateral framework agreement was reached on Friday. Following the signing, US Secretary of State Rubio said in a statement that the agreement establishes a "clear and orderly process" for dismantling Hezbollah's armed forces and controlled infrastructure, and that the US will lead a military working group to assist with implementation.
He revealed that the US would provide substantial resources, including an immediate allocation of US$100 million (about RM414 million), to coordinate with the United Nations to provide humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people; the US will also allocate US$30 million to help the Lebanese army "more effectively establish sovereignty within Lebanon."