Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even if the United States demands it.Katz’s comment is the first time any top Israeli official has publicly said they would go against the U.S. regarding Lebanon, after two weeks of avoidance. Stressing the danger posed to soldiers, Katz invoked the possibility of U.S. pressure at the Muni Expo conference for local officials in Tel Aviv for the first time. As long as Hezbollah remains armed, he said, Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, “even if there is an American demand.”“The IDF must be on the enemy’s side of the border and protect the communities from within the territory itself,” he said, adding that this was a central part of its combat doctrine.
“Two hundred thousand residents will not return. There are no civilians and no terrorists,” Katz added. “In the past, when there was civilian presence in security zones, there were explosives and attacks against soldiers — that is why we do not allow it. Soldiers inside, civilians outside.”Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz makes statements with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias after their meeting in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)
