Katz says Israel will remain in Lebanon security zone, drawing US rebuke

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Lebanon on Wednesday and declared that “the IDF is here to stay in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. I instructed the IDF to take all necessary steps to prepare for a long-term presence in the area.” His remarks were not well received in the United States, and a State Department official later said Washington “expects all parties to act in any manner consistent with the framework they agreed to, and Israel clearly stated that it has no territorial ambition in Lebanon.” According to the U.S. official, A permanent military presence in south Lebanon is not consistent with the commitments made in the framework or the long-term peace and security of both states.” The official added that the United States fully supports Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and that the framework clearly provides for a phased redeployment tied to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and dismantling of its infrastructure. During his visit to Lebanon, Katz said: “We see the Beaufort Ridge here after the tunnels there were destroyed. The IDF maneuvered here across the Litani. With extraordinary courage and skill, it defeated Hezbollah and captured the Beaufort, which protects Metula, the northern communities and IDF soldiers, and threatens all of Hezbollah’s territory on the horizon.” Katz added: “As the prime minister and I have made unequivocally clear, we are not withdrawing from this security zone. I am standing here in the heart of the security zone, from the western coastline to the Beaufort area and the approaches to Mount Hermon in the east. The IDF is here to protect the northern communities and its forces. We will clear this area and ensure the security of the residents of the north — and under no circumstances will we withdraw from the security zones: not in Lebanon, not in Syria and not in Gaza. “The lesson of Oct. 7,” the defense minister said, “is that we protect residents by having the IDF here, in these places, protecting them from raids, gunfire and everything else. That is our policy, that is our approach. The Beaufort fortress illustrates the meaning of this policy more than anything else: We are up here, they are down there, the residents are protected. The IDF is inside, 200,000 residents are outside. We are destroying the underground infrastructure and all the terrorist infrastructure they built with Iranian backing to invade the Galilee, and destroying all the homes in the area.” Katz concluded: “This is our policy. We will continue with it and under no circumstances will we allow jihadist enemies of this kind to threaten our residents or our borders. We are up here, they are down there. The residents are outside, the soldiers are inside and the homes are destroyed.” Also present during the visit were IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo 36th Division commander Brig. Gen. Yiftah Norkin Katz’s military secretary, Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim and other commanders. According to the IDF spokesperson, Katz received an extensive briefing at the site from commanders on the military’s activities in the area and discussed with them the operational preparations required ahead of the expected campaign against Hezbollah.