US Rebukes Israel Over Lebanon Troop Presence Pledge

The Trump administration issued a sharp rebuke Wednesday to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz following his declaration that Israeli forces would maintain a long-term presence in southern Lebanon. A senior State Department official stated that such statements contradict commitments Israel made under the ceasefire framework agreement brokered with U.S. involvement.

According to a report by Israel's Channel 12 News, the American official said: "The United States expects all parties to act in accordance with the framework agreement they agreed to, and Israel has made clear unambiguously that it has no territorial aspirations in Lebanon... a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is not consistent with the commitments made in the framework agreement, and does not align with the long-term peace and security of both countries."

The American criticism followed remarks Katz made during a tour of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, where he declared: "The IDF is here to stay in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza and to defend the entire State of Israel. I have instructed the IDF to take all necessary steps to prepare for a long-term stay in the field."

Katz emphasized in his statement: "As the Prime Minister and I have made absolutely clear — we are not withdrawing from this security zone." His comments prompted an immediate response from the Trump administration, which viewed them as a departure from agreed-upon understandings. According to journalist Barak Ravid's reporting, the State Department official stressed that the United States fully supports Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He clarified: "The framework agreement clearly includes a conditions-based pathway, under which gradual redeployments of the IDF will take place, subject to Hezbollah's disarmament and the verifiable destruction of its infrastructure."

IDF soldiers operate in South Lebanon (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The American source noted that the Lebanese army is currently implementing the first pilot zones, adding: "The United States will continue to support the full implementation of this process." The remarks reflect American expectations for a gradual withdrawal of IDF forces from southern Lebanon according to the agreed timeline.

The agreement with Lebanon was signed following intensive diplomatic efforts under U.S. auspices and includes mutual commitments regarding troop withdrawals and weapons disarmament.