"This agreement strengthens Israel and Lebanon, and weakens Iran and Hezbollah," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday during a press conference addressing the new trilateral framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States.
"This is a sign of things to come. We will continue to do everything necessary to restore security to the residents of the north, as we successfully did in the south. We did it once again thanks to the heroism of the fighters and commanders, and also thanks to your steadfast resilience, residents of the north," he added.
Netanyahu went on to emphasize Israel's military achievements in countering the Hezbollah threat.
He highlighted significant victories by the IDF, including the elimination of eight Radwan Force commanders and over 200 terrorists in the past two weeks. Bringing the total number of Hezbollah terrorists killed since the war began to over 9,000.
He also noted that the IDF continues to maintain control over key positions, including the Beaufort Fortress, as well as Hezbollah bunkers, tunnels, and other terrorist infrastructure.
In commenting on ongoing operations, Netanyahu emphasized the threat posed by explosive drones and stated that Israel aims to be the 'first in the world to find a solution.'
“We are not done yet,” he said.
Netanyahu addresses the US-Iran MoU
The Prime Minister also addressed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran, stating, “We were not a party to the agreement with the US and Iran; we have our own interests, and we will express them.”
He then added that Israel plans to send a delegation to Washington to clarify what Israeli interests are regarding Iran's nuclear status moving forward.
He dismissed Iran's potential involvement with the trilateral agreement, saying "Lebanon, Israel, and the US are essentially saying to Iran: This is none of your business. You have no status here. You have no involvement and no role, not you, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organization."
Israeli leadership reacts to Lebanon agreement
The National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, attacked the agreement with Lebanon on Saturday, calling it 'a major mistake.’
“I have already approached the prime minister this evening, requesting a cabinet vote. I have been fighting against the agreement for weeks,” he said.
In a later post on X/Twitter, Ben-Gvir went on a tirade against the agreement, calling it "a historic mistake, a terrible missed opportunity, and a lament for generations."
"Instead of continuing to press the pedal, deepening the blow, and achieving total victory that would remove the threat to the residents of the North for years to come - what are we doing? We are giving it exactly the lifeline it begged for in the form of a ceasefire," he wrote. "Giving it air to breathe so it can recover, rearm, and build the next monster."
He also wrote that the claim that Lebanon's army would dismantle Hezbollah was a version of the "Emperor's New Clothes" story.
"The illusion that the Lebanese army will safeguard security and enforce its sovereignty in southern Lebanon is, at best, a dangerous illusion, and at worst, self-deception," he claimed.
"The Lebanese army is weak and infiltrated. Hezbollah members and their supporters are an integral part of this army's ranks. They have prevented no buildup of Hezbollah for decades, and nothing will change now."
Earlier Saturday, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement saying Israel will not retreat from Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and the safety of Israeli residents is guaranteed.
Katz added that he, along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had instructed the IDF to prepare for a prolonged stay in the security zone and to deploy as necessary to address safety threats.
He went on to say that the agreement between the US, Israel, and Lebanon is a “strategic blow to Iran” following their failure to force Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.
Former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, in response to Netanyahu's address, stated, “What matters is not grandstanding speeches but whether Kiryat Shmona is rehabilitated before Hezbollah and whether mothers in Metula, Kiryat Shmona, and Shlomi can raise their children safely without the fear of Hezbollah re-emerging.”