{
  "id": 16497685,
  "title": "Druze leader Walid Joumblatt believes Israel will 'never leave' southern Lebanon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/druze-leader-walid-joumblatt-believes-israel-will-never-leave-16497685",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-25T16:20:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/24/druze-leader-walid-joumblatt-believes-israel-plans-to-remain-in-southern-lebanon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Druze leader Walid Joumblatt firmly believes that Israel will maintain its presence in southern Lebanon for many decades to come. In an interview on \"On The Record with Hadley Gamble,\" he declares, \"They will never leave.\" Joumblatt attributes Israel's intentions to the desire to expand its biblical empire, likening it to a territorial conquest reminiscent of historical empires. This perspective reflects a broader regional shift as the United States withdraws its troops, while Russia remains preoccupied with its own conflicts, positioning Israel as the dominant military power in the area.\n\nJoumblatt cites the extensive destruction in Lebanon as proof, stating that Israel is not merely cleaning up from previous incursions but actively eradicating any memory of the region by preparing for potential settlements. He claims that Israel holds security zones across southern Lebanon, southern Syria, and nearly 70% of Gaza, with Israeli official statements affirming that they have no intention of withdrawing. Joumblatt emphasizes that Israel's primary objective is to eliminate Palestinian identity from Gaza to the West Bank and extend its reach into Syria and Lebanon, regardless of who assumes power.\n\nDespite Israeli claims of destroying over 60 villages and displacing around 2,000 square kilometers south of the Zahrani River, Joumblatt remains skeptical, arguing that this tactic is futile and serves only to reinforce Israel's control. The recent framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, promising a phased withdrawal contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament, is met with skepticism by Joumblatt, who labels it as a \"performance-based\" agreement that ultimately benefits Israel. He dismisses the likelihood of fully disarming Hezbollah, stating that the area has already been largely cleared, yet Israel continues to use advanced technology like drones to maintain control.\n\nJoumblatt criticizes the influence of certain Lebanese ministers and US officials who he believes are pushing for Israel's withdrawal, labeling it as a \"total fallacy.\" He also questions the feasibility of a full disarmament of Hezbollah, asserting that such efforts are futile for a force that intends to remain a military threat. Israel's increasing threats and territorial expansions, such as Israel's warning about potential security zones and the displacement of over a million Shiites, further fuel Joumblatt's fears. He points out that Israel's reach now extends 40km from Damascus, Syria, and asserts that Israel will prevent Syria's President from rebuilding its military.\n\nRegarding the Druze community, Joumblatt expresses deep concern over their involvement in Israeli-orchestrated initiatives, such as Hikmat Al Hijri's declaration of Druze inseparability from Israel and the subsequent celebrations of Israeli flags in Sweida, Syria. He accuses the Druze of being manipulated by Israelis to serve as \"good soldiers\" and points out that the Israeli government, not the Druze leaders, dictates the future of Druze territories. Joumblatt warns against the formation of a \"David's Corridor\" that would give Israel strategic depth by controlling Druze-populated areas in both Syria and Lebanon, dismissing the notion as mere propaganda.",
  "summary": "Druze leader Walid Joumblatt believes Israel will remain in southern Lebanon for decades. “They will never leave,” he tells On The Record with Hadley Gamble from his home in Beirut. \"The Americans are withdrawing. What is left is [Benjamin] Netanyahu controlling and expanding his own territory , his biblical empire.\" It is a stark reading of the region from a man who has lived through Lebanon's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}