Israeli Defense Minister Katz Rejects US Request to Withdraw from Southern Lebanon

Amid rising tensions between Tel Aviv and the US administration, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz reaffirmed that the Israeli military will not pull out from southern Lebanon.

In remarks made on Wednesday, Katz declared, "Even if there is a US request, we will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon... and we will not allow 200,000 residents of the northern settlements to return to the previous threat situation."

He further emphasized that the Israeli army will remain in what he described as the "security zone" in Syria and Lebanon, stating, "This is our security doctrine." Katz added, "The Israeli army must be positioned at the enemy’s side and defend the towns from within its own territory... the soldiers inside, and the civilians outside... we are not withdrawing."

The Threat of Hezbollah

Simultaneously, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the negotiations that began on Tuesday in Washington with Lebanon as historic and highly significant.

He also asserted that "Hezbollah poses a threat to Lebanon’s independence and Israel’s security," according to his statement.

Weapon Control

On the Lebanese side, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified in statements on Wednesday that the issue of weapon control is not intended to appease Israel.

He added that the Lebanese authorities engaged in direct talks with Israel because it represented the least costly path for Lebanon. Salam noted that the government was informed about the committee formed in Switzerland aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire but indicated that the negotiation track in Washington differs from that process.

He also stressed Lebanon’s insistence on the full Israeli withdrawal from the south and the release of prisoners. Salam said, "We will not accept the presence of five points or two points. We also demand the release of prisoners and the resolution of outstanding issues on the border."

These remarks came as the fifth round of talks between Lebanon and Israel continued in Washington, having started the previous day. The discussions aim to reach an agreement to end the war and confrontations that erupted between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, resulting in the deaths of approximately 4,000 Lebanese.

The talks are also taking place amid a trust crisis between Washington and Tel Aviv, with recent criticisms from US administration officials directed at the Israeli government.

US-Israeli relations have experienced severe fluctuations, most visibly reflected in public criticism from US President Donald Trump, who recently described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "crazy," accused him of loving wars, and urged him to exercise prudence.