Israel's Defense Minister said Thursday morning that the country did not ask any external party for permission to enter Lebanon and does not require permission to maintain its military presence there. The statement asserts Israel's right to defend its northern residents against Hezbollah, which the minister described as a 'jihadist terrorist organization' seeking Israel's destruction. The minister also highlighted the establishment of a security zone in southern Lebanon, cleared of residents and terror infrastructure, and vowed to remain until Hezbollah is disarmed and the threat to the Galilee is removed.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a statement published Thursday morning less than 10 minutes ago, directly rejected President Trump's assertion that Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. Katz declared that Israel did not seek permission from any external party to enter Lebanon and will not seek permission to remain, vowing to stay until Hezbollah is disarmed and the threat to the Galilee is removed. The statement, framed as a response to Trump's reported withdrawal demand, reiterates the government's position that the security zone in southern Lebanon is a matter of national self-defense, not subject to international approval.
The bulletin was first reported by The Zioneer at 08:58 Jerusalem, with an initial version stating Katz's general position and a subsequent update specifying that it was a direct response to Trump. This stance has been consistent: on June 14, Netanyahu reportedly told Trump that Israel is not bound by the Lebanon clause in the US-Iran deal; on June 16, The Zioneer reported Israel's objection to Trump's demand to halt Lebanon fighting; on June 18, Netanyahu said the IDF would stay as long as needed; and on June 30, Netanyahu visited troops in the security zone, stating that the threat must be removed. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has maintained a posture of conditional restraint, with a commander on June 21 renewing warnings that Israel will not remain on Lebanese soil.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the diplomatic context: the US-Iran deal reportedly includes a clause on Lebanon, and Israel has consistently opposed any restrictions on its freedom of action. Katz's statement comes amid ongoing discussions between Jerusalem and Washington, with the prime minister previously asserting that the IDF will not withdraw despite emerging regional memoranda. The defense minister's latest remarks reinforce that Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon is non-negotiable, as long as the security threat from Hezbollah persists.
What remains open: Hezbollah has stated it has not conducted attacks since the ceasefire took hold but has warned that it will respond if Israel operates in Lebanon. The US administration's final position on the Israeli presence remains unclear, and the diplomatic process surrounding the Iran deal continues. The Zioneer will continue to track developments.
6 developments
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz: No US demand to withdraw from Lebanon
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz: 'We will not leave a situation where our soldiers are harmed unilaterally'
- StrongKatz: Trump blocked a full-scale Israeli offensive to destroy Hezbollah
- ConfirmedKatz: IDF will not withdraw 'a millimeter' from Lebanon until Hezbollah disarmed
Source and signal
- Internal intake