Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from Lebanon, even as negotiations between the two countries continue under U.S. mediation.
Speaking at the MUNI EXPO conference in Tel Aviv on June 24, Katz said:
“We have made it clear that under no circumstances will we withdraw.”
He added that Israel’s position has also been communicated to the United States and claimed that there is currently no American demand for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Katz’s remarks come as Israeli and Lebanese representatives discuss a U.S.-backed proposal in Washington that would reportedly involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they currently occupy and the transfer of control to Lebanese forces.
A U.S. State Department official said the talks are aimed at achieving long-term peace and security between the two sovereign states.
“Our shared goal is to end the cycle of violence once and for all. The talks continue to advance toward comprehensive peace and security between the two countries,” the official stated.
Israel launched strikes against targets linked to Hezbollah following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran earlier this year, after Hezbollah forces opened fire in support of Tehran.
A memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran reportedly calls for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Hezbollah controls significant areas in southern Lebanon and is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The European Union, meanwhile, has blacklisted only Hezbollah’s armed wing.
