After Gaza, Israel Now Vows to Annex Southern Lebanon

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the Israeli military will maintain its presence in security zones within Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to ensure the protection of Israel, indicating a commitment to a long-term deployment. During a visit to southern Lebanon, Katz instructed the IDF to take all necessary measures to prepare for this extended presence, stating, "As has been clearly emphasized by myself and the prime minister, we will not withdraw from this security zone."

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The IDF will remain in the security zone in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect the entire State of Israel.

Katz also boasted about the destruction of homes in specific areas, following his previous praise for the systematic leveling of dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, which he claimed housed Hezbollah infrastructure. These remarks have led to accusations of war crimes against Katz, who has intensified his rhetoric ahead of elections. The minister's statements appear to contradict previous Israeli assurances that the country harbors no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

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As has been clearly emphasized by myself and the prime minister, we will not withdraw from this security zone.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israel's military actions, describing the "attacks, infiltrations, demolitions, and systematic destruction of homes," infrastructure, government buildings, and places of worship as serious violations of international law and humanitarian law. Salam argued that the claim that villages and towns are "entirely military facilities" is baseless and cannot justify their destruction, the displacement of residents, or the prevention of their return.

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The attacks, infiltrations, demolitions, and systematic destruction of homes, infrastructure, government buildings, and places of worship... constitute serious violations of the principles and rules of international law and international humanitarian law.

The United States expressed concern over Katz's statements, with a State Department official stating that the U.S. expects all parties to act within agreed frameworks and that Israel has previously affirmed it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon. The U.S. emphasized that a permanent military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with these commitments and with long-term peace and security for both nations, while reaffirming its support for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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The claim that villages and towns 'are entirely military facilities' is absurd and cannot be used as an excuse to destroy them, displace their residents, and prevent them from returning.