Israel Defies US-Iran Deal by Maintaining Lebanon Security Zones

The United States and Iran signed a framework agreement, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, to end regional hostilities and lift the U.S. naval blockade of Iran. Brokered by Pakistan, the deal aims to cease military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government have openly defied the pact, declaring that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain indefinite military presence in security zones across southern Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the military will remain in Lebanon up to 10 kilometers inside the border, including areas south of the Litani River, to protect northern residents and dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. While President Donald Trump urged Israel to reduce activity to avoid destabilizing the deal—even suggesting Syria should handle Hezbollah—Israeli officials described this position as a "resounding slap in the face." Domestic pressure from ministers like Itamar Ben Gvir has further hardened Israel's stance, with Ben Gvir asserting that Israel is a sovereign nation not bound by external diplomatic understandings.

Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli forces continued drone and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, including attacks in Kfar Tebnit and Beirut's Dahiyeh district. Hezbollah has welcomed the deal but issued a 60-day ultimatum for a full Israeli withdrawal, vowing continued resistance. The conflict, which escalated on March 2, has killed nearly 3,900 people in Lebanon and displaced over 1 million civilians, many of whom returned to find their homes and markets in cities like Nabatieh destroyed.