Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday called the newly signed trilateral framework with Lebanon a historic diplomatic and security achievement for Israel, but stressed that the IDF has not withdrawn and will maintain its security zone, including the Beaufort Castle area, until Hezbollah is fully disarmed nationwide. Katz warned Iran not to attack Israel to disrupt the deal, threatening a forceful response.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday evening labeled the trilateral U.S.-Israel-Lebanon framework a "historic achievement," but stressed that Israel has not withdrawn from Lebanon and will not do so until Hezbollah is fully disarmed nationwide. Speaking at 18:48 Jerusalem, Katz specifically cited the Beaufort Castle ridge as part of the IDF's retained security zone — a detail he had previously referenced in broader statements but not tied so explicitly to a single landmark in the context of the signed deal.
This is Katz's fourth statement on the framework since the initial announcement at 18:48 Jerusalem. The first version (18:48) described the deal as a "historic diplomatic and security achievement" and a "strategic blow to Iran," but did not mention Beaufort. Within moments, a second version added the Beaufort ridge and specified no withdrawal from it until disarmament. A third version introduced a direct warning to Iran against attacking over the deal. The fourth, published concurrently at 18:48, summarized all of the above. The speed of the clarifications — all coming from Katz's office — suggests a deliberate messaging effort to frame the deal domestically as a security guarantee, not a concession.
As The Zioneer reported over the past two weeks, Katz has consistently resisted withdrawal pressure. On June 12, he stated Israel would keep security zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and northern Samaria. On June 15, he confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had conveyed this position directly to President Trump. On June 21, Katz said Israel had "no intention" of withdrawing from the Beaufort area, describing it as "inseparable" from the security zone. These statements predate the signed framework and contextualize Saturday's remarks as an affirmation, not a new policy.
What remains unverified: the full text of the framework has not been published; no implementation timeline or mechanism for Hezbollah's disarmament has been disclosed; and how the stated Israeli position of maintaining the zone indefinitely squares with the terms the U.S. and Lebanon believed they signed remains unclear.
5 developments
- DevelopingDefense Minister: Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Beaufort security zone in Lebanon
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: IDF to remain up to Beaufort heights, any ceasefire violation met with force
- StrongKatz warns Iran: Any attack on Israel over Lebanon will draw 'full-force' response
Source and signal
- Internal intake