Netanyahu: "This is a punch in the face of the Iranian axis - and it will not necessarily pass quietly"
Netanyahu and Katz visited the security zone in southern Lebanon and clarified that Israel will not withdraw as long as Hezbollah still poses a threat. Background: dispute with Trump over continued activity in Lebanon.
Assessment
A high ranking Israeli official toured the buffer zone in southern Lebanon, declaring that the military presence will continue as long as Hezbollah poses a threat. The statement frames continued operations as a direct challenge to the Iranian axis, while acknowledging potential backlash. Tensions are rising over disagreement with the U.S. administration regarding the timeline for withdrawing from the area. The coming days will test whether diplomatic pressure or security concerns determine the next steps.