Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that troops will stay in southern Lebanon as along as needed as Iran claims a withdrawal is an instrumental part of the deal with the U.S.
Speaking during a ceremony on Thursday, Netanyahu said restoring "security and prosperity to northern towns" requires "maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon; it requires that we not leave there, as long as Israel's security needs require it." Tens of thousands of residents of northern Israel have evacuated as a result of continued clashes with Hezbollah.
