Israel Rejects Withdrawal From Lebanon in U.S.-Iran Deal

According to Breitbart News, Katz issued a statement Monday outlining Israel’s position on security zones across multiple fronts. He emphasized that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he are pursuing a clear strategy that mandates the Israeli Defense Forces remain in designated security areas throughout Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza indefinitely to safeguard Israeli border communities from jihadist threats.

The Defense Minister made clear that Israel will not compromise its security requirements or the protection of its citizens, and Israeli forces will not vacate these strategic zones. He warned that should Iran launch attacks against Israel in response to developments in Lebanon, Israel will retaliate with maximum force.

Israeli military operations in the buffer zone will continue as planned, Breitbart News reports. Katz stated that all terrorist infrastructure both above and below ground, including residential structures in contact-line villages that functioned as terror positions, will be demolished following the evacuation of civilian inhabitants.

The Defense Minister stressed opposition to any IDF withdrawal from Lebanese territory despite present or future international pressure. He confirmed that Netanyahu conveyed these positions directly to President Trump and other senior American officials, and that he personally reiterated this stance to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sunday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet publicly addressed the U.S.-Iran agreement, but several Israeli government figures have sharply criticized the deal’s Lebanon-related provisions.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected any binding authority of the Trump agreement on Israel, asserting that Israel operates as an independent sovereign nation not subordinate to the United States. He stated that Israel cannot be party to an agreement that fails to guarantee its security, and emphasized that Israeli forces must retain all territory captured by their fighters.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, currently a leading contender to succeed Netanyahu, criticized the current administration for insufficient progress in Lebanon. Bennett accused Netanyahu of involving Israel in prolonged wars of attrition in Lebanon and Gaza where his government has proven incapable of securing decisive victories.

Opposition leaders including Bennett have argued that Israel must concentrate on dismantling the Iranian regime and its Hezbollah proxies in Lebanon irrespective of the Trump peace agreement, and should reject any deal that neglects Israeli security concerns.

President Trump reportedly expressed frustration with Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled suburbs of Lebanon executed while the United States finalized its agreement with Iran. Trump instructed Netanyahu to halt additional strikes, promising in exchange to request that Iran refrain from missile attacks against Israel, as reported by Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

Trump commented on his Truth Social platform that the morning strike on Beirut should not have occurred, particularly on a significant day when negotiations with Iran were nearing completion.

Iran insisted on Lebanon’s inclusion in any peace arrangement with the United States, effectively shielding Tehran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah from further Israeli military action.

Iran’s state-controlled Fars News Agency reported Monday that Tehran canceled planned missile strikes on Israel only after Trump provided last-minute concessions through Qatari mediators, including expedited termination of the naval blockade.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated Monday that Lebanon’s national sovereignty—interpreted as Iran’s control over Lebanon through Hezbollah—constitutes a fundamental component of the memorandum of understanding with the United States. He declared that no agreement can endure without comprehensive guarantees for Lebanon’s security and territorial independence.

Baghaei also expressed condolences to the Lebanese people while condemning what he termed terrorist attacks by the Zionist entity against Lebanon.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Israel did not participate directly in the negotiations. Initial analysis suggests the agreement fails to limit Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities or its financial support for regional proxies including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have attacked Israel with their own weapons systems.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated Monday that he anticipates the U.S.-Iran agreement will produce concrete actions that permanently end the ongoing cycle of violence. He welcomed the memorandum’s acknowledgment of Lebanon’s unique circumstances and recognition that Lebanese stability and security are essential elements of any credible regional stabilization effort.

With information from Breitbart News