An Israeli security official said Israel does not seek a permanent military presence in Lebanon,  linkinkg any future withdrawal to the Lebanese State's ability to fully assert its authority across the country.

In comments to Sky News Arabia, the official acknowledged that the Lebanese Army is “serious about its mission to extend State authority,” but added that it is “capable of doing more than it currently does.”

“We will pull out of Lebanon when there are no armed forces operating there other than those of the Lebanese State, and when we see the State asserting its sovereignty over all of its territory,” the official said.

While emphasizing that Israel has “no ambitions” in Lebanon, the official warned that Hezbollah continues to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon — an area where international resolutions call for demilitarization.

“We are monitoring Hezbollah’s attempts to rebuild its capabilities, even in the south,” the official said. “And when the Lebanese Army doesn’t act against these efforts, we step in.”