NETANYAHU said at a March 27 press conference the framework agreement with
Lebanon is a "historic achievement" that advances ending the bilateral conflict
and could lead to a final peace. He said the deal is a major blow to Iran and
Hezbollah. The agreement, he said, reflects US and Lebanese assent for Israel to
retain a security zone inside Lebanon for a period "as needed" — until Hezbollah
and other armed groups are disarmed and Lebanon no longer poses a threat to
Israel. As a pilot to hand territory to the Lebanese army and remove Hezbollah
control, Israel will withdraw from two small currently held areas: one entirely
outside the security zone and one at its edge that Israeli forces no longer
need. NETANYAHU said Israel effectively retains all security-zone depth required
to defend its northern border.
