Israel refuses to leave Lebanon over Hezbollah threat Defence minister rejects Trump’s withdrawal announcement

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that forces will not withdraw from Lebanon until the threat posed by Hezbollah is eliminated, according to Ynet.

Katz’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon as part of previously reached agreements.

“We did not ask anyone for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to remain in Lebanon,” the minister emphasised.

He stressed that the presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon is solely aimed at ensuring Israel’s security.

On July 8, 2026, during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump announced that he believes Israel will withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, stating he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that Israel "wants to" take that step as part of a deal with Israel and Lebanon.

He expressed optimism that the arrangement would "work out very well," framing it within broader US-mediated efforts for regional security following ceasefires and framework agreements involving Lebanon and related parties.

By Jeyhun Aghazada