Katz rejects Trump's claim that Israel will withdraw from Lebanon, confirms IDF will remain there

Lead

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he thought Israel would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon because it wanted to take that step, despite comments from Israel's leader indicating otherwise. Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara that he had discussed a withdrawal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Yeah, I think they're going to. I think they want to," Trump said. "So we have a deal with Israel and Lebanon. Yeah, they'll leave. And I think it's going to work out very well."

A day later, Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected Trump's claim, saying Israel would remain in the security zones for as long as needed. The exchange underscores a rare public disagreement between the US and Israel over the future of the latter's military presence in southern Lebanon.

Coverage Comparison

Two of the three articles from the Jerusalem Post focused on Katz's rebuttal, presenting it as a direct challenge to Trump's optimistic assertion. The third, an editorial, framed the disagreement as a fundamental conflict in positions, asking how two such statements can coexist. The editorial noted that the matter extends beyond messaging, touching on the future of Israel's northern border, Hezbollah's fate, Lebanese sovereignty, and the credibility of the US-Israel alliance.

All articles carried Trump's original remarks, his discussion with Netanyahu, and the security agreement between Israel and Lebanon reached on June 26, mediated by the United States, under which Israel will hand over two areas to Lebanon's army.

Key Claims

• Trump's withdrawal belief: Trump said he thought Israel would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon because it wanted to take that step, having discussed the matter with Netanyahu at the NATO summit in Ankara.
• Katz's rejection: Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected Trump's claim on Thursday, stating, "We did not ask anyone's permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to stay in Lebanon." He added that Israeli forces would remain until Hezbollah was completely disarmed and the threat fully removed.
• US-mediated security agreement: Israel and Lebanon reached a security agreement on June 26, mediated by the US, under which Israel will hand over two areas to Lebanon's army.
• Hezbollah concerns: Hezbollah's presence in southern Lebanon is a concern for Israel, as the group has historically entrenched itself despite international arrangements, building an arsenal and using Lebanese territory as a forward base for Iran.
• Strategic alliance: The US-Israel alliance is considered crucial for regional stability, making the disagreement significant.

Perspectives

US Position: Donald Trump expressed confidence that Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon, citing a mutual desire to move forward and a deal between Israel and Lebanon.

Israeli Position: Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted Israel would maintain its presence in security zones until Hezbollah is disarmed, asserting Israel's right to act without seeking permission.