BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon, saying the military will not withdraw even if the United States demands it.
TurkicWorld reports that according to comments reported by The Times of Israel, Katz said that around 200,000 residents would not be able to return, referring to displaced Lebanese civilians affected by Israel’s military operations in the area.
He argued that previous experiences with security zones showed that civilian presence could lead to attacks on Israeli soldiers, including roadside bombings. For that reason, he said Israel would not agree to a withdrawal.
Katz emphasized that Israel intends to maintain its military presence in the region, declaring: “We are not withdrawing.”
The remarks highlight ongoing tensions between Israel’s stated security policy in southern Lebanon and international calls for de-escalation and withdrawal.
