Israeli Defense Minister Katz Firmly Rejects Trump’s Calls to Withdraw from Lebanon Security Zone

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz sharply responded to recent remarks from the Trump administration regarding Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Lebanon. Katz emphasized that Israel does not require approval from any external party to operate in Lebanese territory and that the Israeli presence in the security zone is essential to protect residents of the Galilee region. He stated that the IDF will continue its determined efforts until achieving full operational goals, including dismantling Hezbollah’s weapons and eliminating the threat entirely.

Katz clarified that Israel’s defense of its citizens against Hezbollah, which seeks the destruction of the state, is both a right and a fundamental duty. His comments came after calls from the Trump administration, marking a clear stance that Israel alone governs its security decisions. Katz also condemned Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, noting two major assaults initiated by the group following Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack and the start of Iran’s "Roaring Lion" operation, which Hezbollah launched under Tehran’s orders.

He highlighted that over the past two and a half years, Israel has significantly degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities and leadership, including the key terrorist Nasrallah. Katz praised the political leadership’s decisions, the IDF command’s resolve, and the courage of soldiers and northern residents in establishing a strong security zone in Lebanon, stretching from the sea in the west to the Bofor area and the approaches to Mount Hermon in the east. This zone is free of civilians and terrorist infrastructure both above and below ground to protect Galilee residents from raids, anti-tank fire, and direct threats.

Katz concluded with a firm message echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position: Israel will maintain its presence in the Lebanese security zone and act from there as needed until Hezbollah is fully disarmed and the threat to northern residents is removed. This assurance of security to the north remains a top priority.

The Trump administration’s criticism comes amid its efforts to reach a stable peace agreement with Iran, which requires resolving the ongoing "small war" in Lebanon. At the G7 summit and other forums, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s handling of Hezbollah, suggesting Israeli operations should have ended sooner and been more responsible to avoid jeopardizing the broader deal with Iran. Despite some understandings between Washington and Jerusalem allowing Israeli forces to remain in the security zone to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, Trump continues to publicly advocate for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon as a positive step for regional stability. Israel, however, insists any withdrawal depends solely on the elimination of the security threat and Hezbollah’s disarmament.