Defense Minister Israel Katz says he instructed the IDF to build as many military positions as necessary in southern Lebanon “as though we will remain there for 50 years,” signaling that Israel is preparing for a prolonged security presence rather than a rapid withdrawal. Katz has repeatedly declared that Israeli forces will remain until Hezbollah is disarmed and the threat to northern communities is removed. 

Katz also said Israel had completely razed 24 border villages where Hezbollah had embedded its operations, estimating that 15,000–20,000 homes were destroyed. He said Bint Jbeil, Hezbollah’s symbolic southern stronghold shown in the photo, was being destroyed as well while IDF troops continued eliminating tunnels, weapons sites and launch infrastructure. 

According to Katz, Israel now controls roughly 700 square kilometers stretching from the Mediterranean coast toward Beaufort and the Hermon foothills. The objective is to prevent terrorist raids, direct anti-tank attacks and any renewed Hezbollah buildup near the border. 

The declaration comes as U.S.-backed negotiations test limited Israeli withdrawals in exchange for verified Hezbollah disarmament. Progress has been slow, Hezbollah continues to reject disarmament and Israeli forces remain positioned near key strategic terrain.