IDF remains at strategic points in southern Lebanon ‘indefinitely’ says Israeli defence minister

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Saturday that the Israel Defence Forces will maintain its presence at five strategic locations in southern Lebanon “indefinitely,” regardless of ongoing negotiations over 13 disputed border points.

Katz emphasized that the IDF will continue to hold these five positions, which control the buffer zone in Lebanon, as a measure to safeguard northern Israeli communities during a security assessment last week with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials.

“This decision is entirely independent of any future negotiations concerning disputed border points,” his office stated in an announcement.”

It added that Katz has instructed the IDF to reinforce its positions at these strategic sites and prepare for an extended deployment.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials in a a security assessment with, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been in effect, bring an end to prolonged clashes between Hezbollah and Israel triggered by the Gaza war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Israel has agreed to release five Lebanese nationals held in Israeli jails, after quadrilateral talks involved Israeli, Lebanese, French, and US officials.

The meeting took place in Naqoura, Lebanon.

The officials agreed to establish three joint working groups “aimed at stabilizing the region.”

The groups will discuss disputes over the Blue Line, the UN-recognized land border between Israel and Lebanon; disputes over five locations in Lebanon where Israeli troops remain despite a November 2024 ceasefire requiring a full withdrawal; and Lebanese detainees held by Israel.

Media reported that no details were provided in the statement concerning the identities of the five detainees.

Israel’s Army Radio reported that the 5 who were held in Israel for several months, would be transferred to Lebanon via the Red Cross later on Tuesday, after US-mediated negotiations.

Lebanese media said that Israel will release four civilians and a Hezbollah member, while Lebanon has committed to negotiating with Israel regarding the 13 contested border locations.