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Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon after ceasefire, says Defense Minister
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey /Conflict & Security

Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon after ceasefire, says Defense Minister

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their positions in southern Lebanon, regardless of any ceasefire agreements.
  • Katz affirmed that the Israeli army will remain indefinitely in occupied areas of Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect the border and Israeli settlements.
  • He also warned Iran of a strong response if it attacks Israel due to developments in Lebanon, despite a reported ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israeli forces will not retreat from their positions in southern Lebanon, even after a reported ceasefire was announced between the U.S. and Iran. Katz stated that the Israeli army will remain indefinitely in occupied areas of Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect the border and Israeli settlements.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain without any time limit in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect the border and Israeli settlements against jihadist elements.

โ€” Israel KatzIsrael's Defense Minister Israel Katz explaining the indefinite presence of Israeli forces in security zones.

In a written statement, Katz outlined the policy, saying, "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain without any time limit in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza to protect the border and Israeli settlements against jihadist elements." He asserted that these security zones would be cleared of local residents and all armed groups in the region would be targeted. The Israeli minister claimed that all "terror infrastructure" above and below ground, including structures in villages along the contact line, would be destroyed.

Katz emphasized that these security zones are one of Israel's biggest gains from the war and that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon despite international pressure. He mentioned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had conveyed this stance to U.S. President Donald Trump and senior American officials. Katz also delivered the same message during a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the previous day.

We will not withdraw from Lebanon despite international pressure.

โ€” Israel KatzIsrael's Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasizing the country's resolve to maintain its presence in Lebanon.

Furthermore, Katz sent a message to Iran, stating, "If Iran attacks Israel because of developments in Lebanon, we will respond with all our might." This comes after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed an agreement with the U.S. on June 15, with a memorandum of understanding to be signed in Switzerland on June 19.

If Iran attacks Israel because of developments in Lebanon, we will respond with all our might.

โ€” Israel KatzIsrael's Defense Minister Israel Katz issuing a warning to Iran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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