Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday Israel opposes an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon despite pressure, calling the emerging US-Iran deal a failure to secure Israel's security interests. Minister Ofir Soher warned that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Israel will not stand idly by, according to i24NEWS.
Defense Minister Israel Katz escalated his criticism of the emerging US-Iran framework Monday morning, calling it a security failure and vowing Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon despite 'all the pressures that exist and that will come,' according to i24NEWS. Katz spoke shortly after Prime Minister Netanyahu updated the US that the IDF will not leave southern Lebanon — a position first reported by The Zioneer at 09:46 Jerusalem — and after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned earlier Monday that the deal does not obligate Israel. Minister Ofir Soher separately cautioned that 'if Iran does have nuclear weapons — Israel will not sit idly by.'
Earlier Monday, at 09:46 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported three versions of Katz's position in quick succession: first, a blanket statement that the IDF will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza; then, within the same minute, a confirmation that Israel had formally notified the US of its opposition to withdrawal from Lebanon; and finally, a direct warning that if Iran attacks over the Lebanon issue, Israel will respond with overwhelming force. The reports moved from a single Israeli channel to multiple newsrooms within the same hour. The account of Katz's remarks has been consistent across sources.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday June 14 at 20:52 Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu told President Trump that Israel is not bound by the Lebanon clause in the US-Iran deal. Over the weekend, Jerusalem was caught off guard by reports of a finalized agreement — CNN reported Friday June 12 at 00:28 Jerusalem that Netanyahu was surprised during a security meeting. Iran has stated it will not accept IDF forces remaining in southern Lebanon, per a Thursday June 11 report at 12:27 Jerusalem.
It remains unclear whether the full text of the Lebanon clause has been published by any party, and whether the IDF would be required to withdraw from all of southern Lebanon or only from parts of the security zone, with Israeli officials insisting on freedom of operation against threats from Hezbollah south of the Litani.
6 developments
- DevelopingNo official confirmation released on reported US-Iran deal terms for Lebanon
- StrongSenior Israeli officials: US understands Israel will not compromise on Lebanon withdrawal
- StrongSenior Israeli official: Lebanon line holds as Iran fails to link fronts
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
Source and signal
- Internal intake