Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced that the Israeli army would maintain its presence at five key locations in southern Lebanon indefinitely, regardless of ongoing negotiations with Lebanon over border disputes.

During a security assessment on Thursday with Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military officials, Katz emphasized that the Israeli military’s continued presence at these strategic positions was crucial for safeguarding northern Israeli communities.

"The Israeli army will remain at the five points controlling the buffer zone in Lebanon indefinitely to protect the residents of the north, independent of any future border negotiations," a statement from Katz's office quoted him as saying.

He also directed the army to bolster its fortifications at these locations and prepare for a prolonged deployment.

Israel has maintained control over five positions since a ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024, following over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. The conflict escalated into two months of open warfare, prompting Israel to deploy ground forces along its northern border.

Katz's remarks coincided with the Israeli army’s confirmation of an airstrike on Friday that targeted a Hezbollah facility in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, which the military described as a "strategic weapons" manufacturing and storage site.