Walid Joumblatt says Israel may keep troops in southern Lebanon for decades, while a June framework links staged redeployments to Lebanese security steps and Israel says forces will stay in a security zone.
In an interview with The National, Joumblatt said he believes Israel’s presence could last for decades. “They will never leave,” he said. He interpreted the destruction in southern Lebanon as a sign of preparations for settlements; that was his assessment of Israeli intentions, not a confirmed government plan.
The June 26 framework, signed by Lebanon and Israel under U.S. auspices, lays out a security transition in selected pilot areas. The Lebanese Armed Forces would assume responsibility there as Lebanon carries out a program to disarm non-state armed groups. Israeli forces could then redeploy in verified stages. The framework also aims to protect communities in northern Israel and support the safe return of Lebanese civilians.
Two days later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would stay in the security zone and continue destroying what their statement called “terrorist infrastructure.” The statement gave no date for a full withdrawal.
Lebanese military sources told The New Arab that two days of discussions at U.S. Central Command in Tampa ended Oct. 22 without a breakthrough. The National also reported that the talks ended without agreement. The New Arab's report referenced the November 2024 ceasefire monitoring committee as a precedent for verification. It reported that no further session had been scheduled, although bilateral discussions with the U.S. command remained possible. The New Arab reported Lebanese officials' view that Israeli operations endangered residents, slowed reconstruction and impeded displaced people’s return. Neither the June framework nor the Israeli statement gives a date for full withdrawal.
