Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Israel has no intention of claiming Lebanese territory but will maintain its military presence in the security zone established in southern Lebanon to protect its northern communities from potential attacks by Hezbollah.

In remarks posted on social media following a phone conversation with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Sa'ar said Israel remains committed to the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, provided Hezbollah does the same.

According to Sa'ar, he conveyed to Peters that Israel's position remains unchanged: the ceasefire can hold only if both sides adhere to its terms.

"We don't have territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but we will not withdraw from the security zone and expose our citizens to Hezbollah's attacks and possible invasion," Sa'ar wrote on X.

The Israeli minister argued that Hezbollah's military presence has long undermined Lebanese sovereignty, blaming Iran for exerting influence in Lebanon through the group.

"Lebanon's sovereignty has been breached for decades to this very day by Iran's indirect occupation by Hezbollah," he said.

Sa'ar also maintained that dismantling Hezbollah's military infrastructure would serve the interests of both countries.

"It's the interest of both Lebanon and Israel that Hezbollah's terror state will be dismantled," he added.