Israel will not abandon positions in southern Lebanon, says Defense Minister

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the Israeli army has no intention of withdrawing from its positions in southern Lebanon, despite a reported peace agreement between the United States and Iran. Katz stated that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

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Israeli troops will remain in the security zones of Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely to defend the border and Israeli settlements from there against jihadist elements.

The minister's statement, conveyed through a press release, specified that the troops' presence is intended to "defend the border and Israeli settlements from there against jihadist elements." He further elaborated that these areas would be "cleared of local residents and all terrorist infrastructure, both superficial and underground (...), will be destroyed."

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That area will be 'cleared of local residents and all terrorist infrastructure, both superficial and underground (...), will be destroyed'.

Katz explicitly opposed the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Lebanon, stating that Prime Minister Netanyahu had communicated this stance to former US President Donald Trump and other senior US officials. Katz himself conveyed this position to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. He identified the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, as the "main lesson" learned.

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We oppose the withdrawal of the IDF from Lebanon, despite all current and future pressures. Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear to the US President (Donald) Trump and other senior US officials, and I also made it clear yesterday to the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.

According to Katz, the occupation of territory and security zones represents "one of the greatest achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)" in recent conflicts. The report also mentions the US announcement of an agreement with Iran to end a war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan mediating the final signing of a memorandum of understanding.

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The occupation of territory and security zones has been one of the greatest achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the War of Renaissance.