Katz Responds to Trump: We Did Not Request Permission to Stay in Lebanon

SadaNews - Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz responded to a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he believes Israel will withdraw from Lebanon under Washington agreements.

Katz wrote on the "X" platform on Thursday, stating: "We did not ask for permission from any party to enter Lebanon, nor do we need permission to remain there."

He added: "It is our right and duty to protect the residents of Galilee and Israeli citizens from the threats of Hezbollah, the terrorist organization that seeks to destroy the State of Israel," as he expressed.

The Israeli minister continued: "As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, we will continue to remain in the security zone in Lebanon, and we will operate from there as needed until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the northern residents is removed."

On Wednesday, Trump said he believes that Israel will withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, as it wishes to take this step, despite Netanyahu's statements indicating otherwise.

The U.S. president added to reporters during the NATO summit in Ankara that he discussed the withdrawal with Netanyahu.

Trump said: "Yes, I believe they will do that, and I think they want to, then we have an agreement with Israel and Lebanon. Yes, they will withdraw. I believe things will go well."

Netanyahu visited Lebanese territory occupied by Israeli forces last week and informed the soldiers that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah poses a threat.

The Israeli and Lebanese governments reached a security agreement on June 26 with U.S. mediation, under which Israel would hand over two areas to the Lebanese army.