Speaking at the MUNI EXPO 2026 local government conference on Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon even under American pressure. Katz stated the policy is to keep soldiers in the area while preventing the return of both civilians and militants, describing the infrastructure there as destroyed and hazardous.
Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a firm statement Wednesday at the MUNI EXPO 2026 conference organized by the Center for Local Government, reiterating Israel's commitment to maintaining a military presence in southern Lebanon without civilian return.
Katz said: "Even if there is an American demand — we will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. 200,000 residents will not return. There are no residents and no terrorists. Why? Because what happened in the past in security zones that also had a civilian population was IEDs and attacks against the soldiers, and therefore we do not allow this." He summarized the policy: "Soldiers inside, residents outside. The infrastructure is destroyed, the buildings are threatening and ruined. We will not withdraw."
The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic discussions over the IDF's presence in southern Lebanon after last year's campaign against Hezbollah. As The Zioneer has previously reported, Katz, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and other senior officials have consistently rejected withdrawal pressure from the U.S. administration, including during negotiations with Iran. Earlier Wednesday, Energy Minister Eli Cohen addressed the same conference with a similar message against accepting an American dictate.
2 developments
- DevelopingSenior Israeli security official: IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
- DevelopingDefense Minister: Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort security zone in Lebanon
- StrongEnergy Minister Eli Cohen: Israel must reject any US dictate to withdraw from Lebanon
- StrongIsrael's US envoy: No withdrawal from southern Lebanon under Iran deal
Source and signal
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