Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that the United States has not requested Israel to pull its forces out of southern Lebanon, a precondition set by Lebanon in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Katz's Statement at Tel Aviv Convention
Speaking at a convention of local leaders in Tel Aviv, Katz declared, “We have announced that in any case we are not withdrawing and, as of this moment — and this is a diplomatic achievement — there is no American demand for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.” When asked whether the military would comply if such a request were made, Katz said he told US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US President Donald Trump that “we are there to protect the residents of the north” of Israel.
Netanyahu's Reiteration
In a speech at the same conference, Netanyahu reinforced the position, stating, “As long as I am Prime Minister, we will maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon — for as long as it is necessary.” He added that the army is currently “dismantling all of (Hezbollah's) ground infrastructure.”
Lebanese and Iranian Reactions
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected Israel's occupation of the south and foreign interference in his country's affairs, alluding to Hezbollah's backer Iran. This came as a fifth round of Israel-Lebanon talks began in Washington on Tuesday. Tehran has emphasized that peace in Lebanon is a fundamental pillar for reaching a definitive agreement with Washington to end the broader Middle East war. Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last week aimed at a permanent settlement, following the US-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28.
Background of the Conflict
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive that Lebanon reports have killed more than 4,100 people, leading to the occupation of a 10-kilometer (six-mile) security zone in southern Lebanon along the border. Israeli officials insist on retaining control of that zone. On Monday, Netanyahu said Israeli forces in Lebanon retain “full freedom of action to thwart any direct or developing threat.” Israel and Lebanon are currently engaged in US-mediated talks in Washington to seek a diplomatic solution, including the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
