Katz: Army's Stay in Lebanon Long-Term, Understandings with Washington Prevent Withdrawal

Occupation War Minister, Yisrael Katz, affirmed that the presence of army forces in Lebanese territories would extend for a long period, indicating that this approach comes within a comprehensive security strategy. Katz revealed the existence of understandings and agreements with the commander of the US Central Command stipulating non-withdrawal from the specified security areas in both Lebanon and Syria, in addition to the Gaza Strip, reflecting close military coordination with Washington on these fronts.

The minister stressed in his statements that the occupation authorities would not take any additional withdrawal steps after the current experimental phase in South Lebanon, unless the condition of complete and comprehensive disarmament of Hezbollah is met. Katz considered that the existing link between the Iranian and Lebanese arenas represents a strategic interest for the United States, claiming that without this interconnectedness, Hezbollah's military capabilities would have completely collapsed in the face of successive strikes.

In the context of field changes, Katz explained that Tel Aviv was forced to adopt alternative military options due to some restrictions and external political orientations, as it was decided to move to a plan to deepen the presence in the area known as the 'Yellow Line' within Lebanese territory. This plan aims to strengthen field control and prevent any attempts to reposition armed forces in areas near the northern borders of the occupied territories.

The occupation war minister also expressed clear skepticism about the efficiency and ability of the official Lebanese military system to control the situation or confront armed factions in the South. Katz claimed that Lebanese army soldiers would not engage in any direct confrontation against Hezbollah, which forces the occupation army to extend the period of its ground operations and military presence within Lebanese territory to ensure what he described as achieving long-term security objectives.

There will be no further withdrawal after the two experimental areas in South Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.