Lebanon’s top military commander said that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory is the primary threat facing his country.

Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, describing their continued presence as “the fundamental problem and the primary threat facing our country.”

Earlier this week, Israeli Defense Minister Katz rejected any withdrawal from the territory it occupies in Lebanon. “We will not withdraw from the security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and if the terrorist organization Hezbollah chooses to join Iran in an attack on Israel, it will suffer extremely severe blows,” the Israeli Defense Minister said.

Israel invaded Lebanon after fighting with Hezbollah broke out following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel slowed after the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in late 2024. 

While Hezbollah halted attacks, Israel continued to bomb Lebanon and occupy several villages. Hezbollah broke the truce in March after the US and Israel assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

The White House has attempted to broker a new ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and Tehran has demanded Tel Aviv end its occupation and bombing as part of any peace agreement to end the Iran War. 

The US and other foreign governments are pressuring Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, an armed movement that also maintains a political party with representation in Lebanon’s parliament. Israel is demanding that Hezbollah be disarmed before its forces leave Lebanon. 

Last month, Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt warned the government that taking a hardline position against Hezbollah could lead to civil war.