Israel to maintain Lebanon security zone; Iran warns of 'humiliation'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that soldiers operating in Lebanon are permitted to act without restriction to neutralize any threats they encounter. This statement follows a ceasefire that went into effect on Friday between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, after months of escalating hostilities. On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. Israel stated these strikes were a retaliatory measure for projectiles launched by Hezbollah towards its troops in southern Lebanon.

Despite the ceasefire, Katz affirmed that Israeli troops would maintain their positions within the security zone, which Israel has established approximately 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon. He stated that the purpose of this zone is to protect northern Israeli communities and that forces are operating from there against what Israel terms "terrorists and terrorist infrastructures." Hezbollah has indicated its right to engage Israeli forces within Lebanon but has pledged to halt attacks on northern Israel.

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, warned Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon or risk a repeat of its 2000 withdrawal, stating Israel would face "humiliation and defeat" if it continued its aggression. Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and the strategic ridge surrounding it in southern Lebanon on May 31, deepening Israel's footprint beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line."

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar has ruled out the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Lebanon 'security zone,' stating Israel does not have "territorial ambitions in Lebanon" but that troops would "not withdraw from the security zone and expose our citizens to Hezbollah’s attacks and possible invasion."