Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Saturday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for a sustained, long-term presence in southern Lebanon. This deployment is contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group. Katz indicated the IDF is not anticipating a swift resolution to the security situation. The move signals a potential escalation of tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. This preparation suggests Israel views Hezbollah as a continuing and significant threat. No specific timeline for the deployment’s duration was provided, only that it will last until Hezbollah is disarmed. The announcement comes amid ongoing regional instability and intermittent clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.