Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Israel ties Lebanon pullout to Hezbollah disarmament after US rebuke
Israel and a group called Hezbollah fought a war in Lebanon.
During the fighting, Israel sent soldiers into southern Lebanon.
Israel says the soldiers are there to protect people in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.
Now Israel says it will not bring the soldiers home until Hezbollah gives up its weapons.
Hezbollah is a group that was started in 1982 with help from Iran.
Many people in Lebanon had to leave their homes because of the fighting.
The United States helped make an agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
In that agreement, Israel is supposed to slowly pull out its soldiers while the Lebanese army takes over.
The United States told Israel it cannot stay in Lebanon forever.
Because Israel has an election soon, its leaders want to show that they are strong and safe.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said troops will remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
The statement followed a US State Department rebuke over comments suggesting Israeli forces could stay 'indefinitely'.
The US said a permanent Israeli military presence would be inconsistent with commitments made under a US-backed agreement with the Lebanese government.
Under the agreement, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw progressively as Hezbollah's disarmament is verified and the Lebanese military assumes control, including in pilot zones.
Katz ordered the IDF to prepare for an extended presence, as Netanyahu's Likud party gears up for Israel's October 27 election.
- Who
- Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hezbollah, the United States, and the Lebanese military.
- What
- Israel said it will not withdraw from a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, prompting a US rebuke over a potential permanent presence.
- When
- On Thursday, following Katz's visit to southern Lebanon on Wednesday, ahead of Israel's October 27 election.
- Where
- Southern Lebanon, with Katz's remarks also delivered at a ceremony in the occupied West Bank; reactions came from Washington and Beirut.
- Why
- Israel says its presence is needed to protect northern communities from Hezbollah attacks, while the US says a permanent presence would breach commitments under the US-backed framework.
Israel's position
US, Hezbollah and Lebanese position
Withdrawal timing
Israel's position
Troops will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed.
US, Hezbollah and Lebanese position
A permanent Israeli presence contradicts commitments Israel made under the US-backed agreement; withdrawal should proceed as disarmament is verified.
Hezbollah's weapons
Israel's position
Hezbollah must be disarmed and its threat across Lebanon eliminated before Israel withdraws.
US, Hezbollah and Lebanese position
Hezbollah rejects discussions over its weapons until Israeli forces leave Lebanese territory.
Occupation of Lebanon
Israel's position
The military presence is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks.
US, Hezbollah and Lebanese position
Beirut residents say Israel cannot maintain an occupation; past Israeli withdrawals came only through negotiation or war.
- Key figures
- Israel Katz (Defence Minister), Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister), Donald Trump (US President)
- Core dispute
- Israel links withdrawal from southern Lebanon to Hezbollah disarmament
- US position
- Permanent Israeli presence inconsistent with commitments under the US-backed framework agreement
- Agreement terms
- Progressive Israeli withdrawal as Hezbollah disarmament is verified; Lebanese military takes control, including pilot zones
- Hezbollah founding
- Founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982
- Displacement
- Hundreds of thousands displaced in Lebanon by the Israeli offensive
- Israel election
- October 27 — first since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks
- Pilot zones
- Lebanese military has begun implementing the first zone, according to the US State Department