**Israeli officials have tied any significant withdrawal of forces from positions north of the Litani River to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and the Lebanese Armed Forces assuming full security control, rather than a fixed timetable.** A June 2026 U.S.-brokered framework agreement established two limited “pilot zones” (one north and one south of the river) for phased, conditions-based redeployment, with implementation described as taking weeks amid ongoing coordination and verification processes. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, have stated the IDF will maintain its expanded security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as Hezbollah poses a threat, with no additional withdrawals planned until that condition is met. Hezbollah has rejected the deal, and sporadic clashes and strikes have continued. Earlier 2026 operations saw Israeli forces cross and operate beyond the Litani, expanding the buffer area. These factors shape trader assessments of timelines for broader redeployment.