Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there is no room for a Palestinian state between the sea and the Jordan River, should he be re-elected. He also reiterated Israel's stance on remaining in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms.
The dual pronouncements by Benjamin Netanyahu signal a hardening of Israeli policy on both regional security and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potentially escalating tensions with Hezbollah and impacting future peace prospects.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms, a condition rejected by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. Qassem described the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel as null, a humiliation, and a surrender of sovereignty, vowing continued fighting.
The agreement, signed in Washington, links Israel's withdrawal to the disarmament of the Iran-backed militant group, a non-starter for Hezbollah. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also denounced the agreement, expressing distrust in the Lebanese government's ability to disarm Hezbollah and calling the deal a "grave mistake."
Netanyahu, however, hailed the trilateral framework agreement as a historic achievement that dealt a setback to Iran and Hezbollah. He also stated that Israel would maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as deemed necessary. Separately, Netanyahu ruled out the possibility of a Palestinian state between the sea and the Jordan River if he is re-elected, suggesting public opinion has shifted on the issue.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended the agreement by noting the Israeli military controls a security strip in Lebanon and is destroying infrastructure, reinforcing Israel's refusal to withdraw until Hezbollah is eliminated.