▲ Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (center) holds a war situation assessment meeting with the Israeli military leadership.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israeli military will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, despite reports of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announcement that purportedly includes an end to hostilities with Hezbollah.
In a statement, Minister Katz emphasized, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy where the Israeli military will remain indefinitely in security zones (buffer zones) in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip to protect our borders and the Israeli people from Islamic extremist forces."
He continued, "In these security zones, we will evacuate local residents and destroy all terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground, including houses in border villages that have been used as terrorist outposts."
Katz cited the securing of these security zones as one of the greatest achievements of the Israeli military in this war, asserting, "We oppose the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Lebanon, regardless of any pressure currently being applied or expected in the future."
He added, "Prime Minister Netanyahu has clearly conveyed this position to U.S. President Donald Trump and high-ranking U.S. officials, and I also made this stance clear to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth yesterday."
Katz reiterated, "We will never compromise on the issues of Israel's national security and the protection of its citizens, and we will not retreat from the security zones."
Furthermore, he warned, "If Iran uses the situation in Lebanon as a pretext to attack Israel, we will strike Iran with all our might," adding, "We are committed solely to Israel's national security and its people."
(Photo: Provided by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.