Israel Responds To Trump Claim Over Lebanon Withdrawal And Approval Issue

Israel has rejected US President Donald Trump’s statement that Israeli forces are preparing to withdraw from southern Lebanon, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying the military will remain deployed until security concerns linked to Hezbollah are addressed. The remarks have highlighted differing positions over the future of Israel’s presence in Lebanon following recent diplomatic efforts.

Katz said Israel did not seek approval to enter Lebanon and would not require permission to maintain its military presence there. He stated that Israel has both the “right and duty” to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, describing the Iran-backed group as an ongoing security threat. He said Israeli forces would remain in what he referred to as a security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed and threats against northern Israeli communities are removed.

The statement came after Trump said he believed Israel was moving towards a withdrawal from southern Lebanon following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at a NATO summit, Trump said he expected Israel and Lebanon to make progress and suggested that the situation could develop positively.

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Israeli officials, however, have maintained that any withdrawal would depend on security conditions on the ground. Netanyahu recently visited Israeli-controlled positions inside Lebanese territory and said Israel would not leave southern Lebanon while Hezbollah continued to operate in the area.

Israel and Lebanon reached a US-mediated security agreement on June 26, under which Israel agreed to transfer control of two areas to the Lebanese army. Despite the agreement, Israeli officials have said military operations in southern Lebanon will continue until their stated security objectives are achieved.

Meanwhile, the conflict has drawn international criticism, with Amnesty International accusing Israel of causing extensive civilian harm during attacks in Lebanon and alleging possible violations of international humanitarian law. The rights group has called for investigations into the strikes and urged accountability measures, including a potential arms embargo. Israel has disputed such allegations and continues to maintain that its military actions are focused on countering security threats.

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