Katz Says Israel Will Not Withdraw from South Lebanon, Even Under US Pressure

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday at the Moniaxpo conference that Israel will not pull out of southern Lebanon, even if the United States demands it. His remarks, reported by Reuters, came as Washington advances talks between Israel and Lebanon on a possible pilot program that would give the Lebanese army security responsibility in parts of southern Lebanon, while Israel would keep a presence in the buffer zone.

Under the emerging proposal, Lebanese troops would undergo screening to ensure they have no ties to Hezbollah and would also train in the United States. Reuters said Israeli officials confirmed that talks are under way on a trial mechanism meant to create a phased transfer of territory. Israel would retain military forces in the separation area to oversee implementation.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejected the reported outline, saying, “We know very well what we want from the negotiations, a full Israeli withdrawal. We will not accept the retention of five outposts, nor even two, we demand the release of prisoners, and the end of the issue of the disputed posts on the border.” He added that Lebanon is not asking Hezbollah for anything beyond fulfilling its commitments under the 2006 government and implementing Resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement. Salam said the key goal is to make the area south of the Litani River weapons-free.

The diplomatic effort is meeting strong internal opposition in Israel. Security officials said they oppose any international mechanism in Lebanon that does not involve only American and Israeli forces, and they want such a force to search the area and ensure the destruction of terror infrastructure. A senior security source said the political leadership has set a red line: there will be no withdrawal from southern Lebanon while terror infrastructure and militants remain, while the area is not demilitarized, and while there is a direct threat to northern Israeli communities. Walla also reported that Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz are distinguishing between southern Lebanon areas under IDF operational control, such as the Beaufort Ridge, from areas that cannot fire directly at Israeli towns, such as Ali Taher Ridge. Israel may tell the Lebanese, through US mediation, that it could agree to withdraw from areas that cannot fire directly at Israel, but only gradually and only after underground and above-ground terror infrastructure is destroyed. If the Lebanese mechanism proves effective, the IDF may later pull back from those areas.