Israel refuses to pull back in Lebanon despite U.S.-Iran deal
by Vaughn Cockayne · The Washington TimesIsrael signaled Monday it has no intentions of stopping combat operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the U.S.-Iran deal promising a ceasefire on all fronts.
Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, wrote in a statement that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were opposed to withdrawing Israeli forces from Lebanon, insisting that much of the country’s south would be demolished.
“Holding territory and maintaining security zones are among the IDF’s greatest achievements in the War of Revival, under the decisions and guidance of the political leadership,” he wrote, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. “Therefore, we oppose an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all existing pressures and those that may still come.”
Mr. Katz said Mr. Netanyahu made his position on withdrawal clear to Mr. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in conversations on Sunday.
Israel’s war in Lebanon against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah was a massive sticking point during the U.S.’ negotiations with Iran. Tehran has demanded that any agreement must include a full ceasefire across all fronts and has launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel over its strikes near Beirut last week.
Iran seems to have gotten exactly what it wanted in the ceasefire agreement with the U.S. announced on Sunday, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirming that the deal includes a “termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
The U.S. and Iran will now enter into a 60-day negotiation period, during which time the two parties will hammer out a comprehensive agreement concerning the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, its support for proxies and further sanctions relief.
Still, if Israel continues its assault on Lebanon, it could face further retaliatory attacks from Iran and risk upending the ceasefire.
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However, supporters of the Netanyahu government appear unfazed by the prospect of further Iranian strikes. Mr. Katz confirmed Monday that his country’s military would be prepared if Iran attacked again.
“If Iran attacks Israel due to events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force,” he wrote.
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Vaughn Cockayne
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