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

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Lebanon on Wednesday and stated 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." The declaration prompted a swift response from Washington.

A State Department official said the United States "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," But added that "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 reiterated U.S. Support for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty, noting the framework calls for phased redeployment tied to verified Hezbollah disarmament and dismantling of its infrastructure.

During his visit, Katz highlighted military operations in the region, stating: "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 emphasized the permanence of the Israeli military position: "As the prime minister and I have made unequivocally clear, we are not withdrawing from this security zone... Under no circumstances will we withdraw from the security zones: not in Lebanon, not in Syria and not in Gaza."

He framed the deployment as a security necessity: "The lesson of Oct. 7 is that we protect residents by having the IDF here, in these places, protecting them from raids, gunfire and everything else... We are up here, they are down there, the residents are protected."

Senior IDF officials accompanied Katz during the visit, and according to the IDF spokesperson, he received an extensive briefing from commanders on military activities in the area.