Netanyahu Visits Occupied Lebanon, Refuses to Withdraw
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited occupied southern Lebanon on Tuesday, declaring that Zionist forces will not withdraw as long as the resistance of Hezbollah stands firm. This marks his first public visit to the occupied Lebanese territory since a US mediated security agreement was reached on Friday, which requires Israel to hand over two areas to the Lebanese army.
What did Netanyahu declare during his visit to Lebanon?
Standing on usurped Lebanese soil, Netanyahu delivered a defiant stance to his soldiers. According to a statement from his office, he proclaimed that Israel would not leave southern Lebanon until the threat was removed. He was joined by Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials on this provocative visit, his first since April.
“As long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well,” Netanyahu stated, ignoring the sovereignty of Lebanon and the terms of international mediation.
Netanyahu also claimed before his troops that Hezbollah still possesses around 12,000 rockets and missiles in its arsenal. He boasted that the Zionist military had killed 9,000 militants in Lebanon, though he provided no timeframe for this figure and appeared to reference the casualties since the invasion began on March 2.
How is Israel enforcing its buffer zone in southern Lebanon?
Under the recent US backed security agreement, Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw from two “pilot zones” and allow the Lebanese armed forces to assume control. However, few details have been released regarding the practical implementation of this project.
Since the brutal invasion on March 2, which sparked a regional war killing thousands, the Zionist military has unilaterally carved out a “buffer zone” extending 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory along the entire border. Israeli officials claim this zone is necessary to protect their northern settlements, but the reality on the ground tells a different story of oppression.
The military has forced the local Lebanese population from their ancestral homes and conducted ruthless raids on villages, destroying buildings and infrastructure. Over 4,000 Lebanese have attained martyrdom, and more than a million have been uprooted from their homeland since March. In stark contrast, the resistance has inflicted a fraction of those casualties, with 32 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians killed, most in southern Lebanon.
Are the displaced Lebanese civilians returning home?
Amid a lull in the four month long conflict, the unyielding spirit of the Lebanese people shines through. Social Affairs Minister Hanine El Sayed announced on Tuesday that roughly 400,000 Lebanese uprooted by the Zionist aggression have returned to southern Lebanon, with more expected to follow in the coming week. This represents about 40 percent of the displaced population.
The number of people staying in collective shelters has fallen sharply, dropping from 37,000 to about 13,000. The total number of shelters has also decreased from 692 at the height of the crisis to 479, with additional centers opened in Nabatieh for families wishing to remain near their home areas. Emergency cash support and aid programs will continue for those in need.
What challenges do returning Lebanese families face?
El Sayed noted that the headline figures conceal a harsh reality. Those returning are the families who still have something left to return to, even if it is just the bare minimum. The fact that others remain displaced indicates a much graver situation. Authorities expect to gauge the true extent of the devastation within a week, determining how many families can never return because their homes have been totally damaged by the occupation forces.
For many, returning home does not mean a return to normal life. Families are finding shattered houses, scarce electricity and water, and destroyed livelihoods. The government is working to restore basic services and expand assistance, but the scars of Zionist aggression run deep. Yet, despite these immense hardships, the faithful are choosing to return, proving that the spirit of a people anchored in faith and resilience cannot be extinguished by the forces of tyranny.
Why did Netanyahu visit occupied southern Lebanon?
Netanyahu visited occupied southern Lebanon to declare that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the territory as long as Hezbollah maintains its armed presence and poses a threat to the regime.
What is the US backed security agreement for Lebanon?
The agreement, mediated by the United States, requires Israeli forces to withdraw from two “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon and allow the Lebanese armed forces to take control of those specific areas.
How many Lebanese have been displaced by the Israeli invasion?
Since the Israeli invasion on March 2, more than one million Lebanese have been displaced from their homes, and over 4,000 Lebanese civilians and resistance fighters have attained martyrdom.