Israeli officials reject withdrawal from Lebanon and vow continued military presence
Statements from Netanyahu and Israel Katz signal defiance of reported agreements, insisting on maintaining Israeli forces in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza under the justification of security needs and deterrence against Hezbollah and Iran.
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In his first comment on the inclusion of Lebanon in the American–Iranian agreement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that calls for the continued presence of the Israeli army in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely, in order to protect the Israeli borders and settlements from jihadist elements.”
He added: “The area will be cleared of the local population, and all infrastructure will be destroyed, both above and below ground, including houses in the border villages that served as strongholds for terrorists. This is the most important lesson from the events of October 7.”
Katz considered that “the seizure of land and security areas is one of the greatest achievements of the Israeli army in the War of Revival, based on decisions and directives from the political leadership.”
He also stressed that “we oppose the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon, despite all current and future pressures. Netanyahu has clarified this to US President Donald Trump and other senior US officials, and I also clarified it yesterday to US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth.”
Katz emphasized that “the Israeli army opposes this position on a professional security level.”
He continued in a statement: “We will not give up Israel’s supreme security interest or the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones,” adding that “if Iran attacks Israel in connection with events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force and clearly demonstrate the imbalance of power.”
He said: “Our only commitment is the protection of our citizens and the security of Israel.”
Netanyahu informed Trump: Israel is not bound by the agreement and will not withdraw from Lebanon
In this context, the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing sources, that Netanyahu told Trump that “Israel is not bound by the terms of the agreement and will not withdraw from Lebanon.”
Netanyahu also reportedly told Trump, according to Israeli sources, that “the Israeli army will remain in its current positions inside Lebanon and will respond to any attacks by Hezbollah.”