After Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the IDF “will not withdraw” from the security zone and ordered the military to prepare for a long-term presence, Washington clarified that “a permanent military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments” made under the understandings.
However, an Israeli withdrawal would be contingent on the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantling of its infrastructure.
A senior US State Department official responded overnight on Thursday to remarks by Katz, who said during a visit to southern Lebanon that the IDF would not withdraw from the “security zone” and that he had instructed the military to prepare for a long-term presence in the area.
The official clarified that, from Washington’s perspective, a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments made under the understandings.
“The United States expects all parties to act in a manner consistent with the framework they agreed to,” the official said. “Israel has clearly stated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.
Permanent military presence inconsistent with peace commitments
A permanent military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments made under the understandings, as well as with the long-term peace and security of both countries.”
The official further stressed that the United States “fully supports Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.” However, Washington clarified that the Israeli withdrawal is expected to proceed in accordance with progress in disarming Hezbollah and dismantling its infrastructure.
“The framework clearly includes a conditions-based path for a gradual withdrawal, tied to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantling of its infrastructure,” the official said.
According to the official, the Lebanese Armed Forces have already begun implementing the “initial pilot zones,” and the United States will continue to support the full implementation of the process.
Katz: IDF does not intend to withdraw from currently held areas
The US response came after Katz said during a visit to IDF troops in Lebanon that Israel did not intend to withdraw from the areas it currently holds.
“As the prime minister and I have made unequivocally clear, we are not withdrawing from this security zone,” Katz said.
“The IDF is here to protect the northern communities and its troops; 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.”
Katz added that he had instructed the IDF “to take all necessary measures to prepare for a long-term presence in the area,” and presented the Israeli presence beyond the border as part of the lessons learned from the October 7 massacre.
“The lesson of October 7 is that we protect the residents by having the IDF here, in these places, protecting them from raids, from gunfire, and from all the other things. That is our policy, that is our approach,” he said.
