Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026. Netanyahu said on June 15 that he intended to run in elections scheduled for later this year, as he faced domestic criticism over his handling of the Middle East war and its aftermath. (Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday hailed the US-brokered agreement with Lebanon, calling it a historic achievement that dealt a blow to arch-foes Iran and Hezbollah.
“Yesterday … we achieved a historic deal for the state of Israel after direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a televised briefing. “This is a blow to Iran and Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in the so-called security zone established by the military some 10 kilometres (six miles) inside the Lebanese territory.
“We will remain in the area until Hezbollah and the rest of the terror groups are disarmed,” he said.
