Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the military would maintain its positions in a roughly ten-kilometre-deep security zone inside southern Lebanon “for as long as necessary” to protect northern communities, a stance immediately rejected by Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem, who said Israel “must leave Lebanon” and that the group would “confront any violation” of Lebanese territory. The exchange underscores the fragility of an arrangement emerging from indirect US–Iran talks, which both sides interpret differently.

Speaking at memorial events and public appearances, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said there were “no restrictions” on Israeli troops eliminating threats in Lebanon and that all military gains from the recent campaign would be preserved. Israeli army chief of staff, touring forces in the south, described Hezbollah as being in a “very difficult situation” after what Israeli leaders call a successful joint US–Israeli effort to degrade Iran’s regional proxies. From Washington’s perspective, President Donald Trump has said he expects a full ceasefire on all fronts, yet Israeli officials signal that their forces will not withdraw from what they term a protective buffer zone even if broader diplomacy advances.

Hezbollah, however, views any enduring Israeli presence as an occupation, with Qassem telling supporters via Al-Manar TV, “We will not accept any violation,” and warning that there would be “no safe zone” for Israeli soldiers. He accused Israel of “deception” during months of talks and noted that the memorandum of understanding brokered by Iran and the US calls for an immediate halt to aggression against Lebanon. Viewed from Tehran, the demand that Israel stop military operations in Lebanon is a prerequisite for advancing nuclear negotiations with Washington, and Iranian officials have held the United States directly responsible for recent Israeli strikes that killed civilians and emergency workers.

Fighting has not completely ceased despite the diplomatic push. Lebanese health authorities report that since the escalation began on 2 March, more than 4,000 people have been killed and over 12,000 wounded, including medics. The Lebanese army has been conducting demining operations in border villages destroyed by Israeli bombardment, while urging residents to delay returns. In parallel, Israeli home-front restrictions in the north were set to expire on Monday, signalling a degree of confidence in reduced rocket fire, yet military officials emphasise readiness to resume large-scale operations. With the US–Iran track still unfolding and both Israel and Hezbollah articulating maximalist positions, the dossier remains open, leaving the prospect of a durable settlement uncertain as negotiators attempt to reconcile irreconcilable red lines.