TEL AVIV, June 25. /Dunyo IA/. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli troops will not be withdrawn from southern Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing The Times of Israel.

According to the minister, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will remain in the region, and the United States is not currently demanding that Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory.

“The IDF is prepared … and we are not retreating. We announced that in any case we are not withdrawing, and as of this moment – and this is a political achievement – there is no American demand for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon,” Israel Katz said.

The statement comes amid negotiations between the United States and Iran following the signing of a memorandum of understanding that provides for the extension of the ceasefire and the launch of 60 days of talks aimed at reaching a permanent settlement. One of the key issues under discussion remains the situation in Lebanon.

Iran insists that ending the war in Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces are essential conditions for achieving long-term peace. Parliament Speaker of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire with Iran.

Meanwhile, clashes continue in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported that two people were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the Kfar Roummane area. Israeli media, for their part, reported the death of an Israeli soldier.

Israel and Lebanon, with U.S. mediation, continue negotiations on security arrangements and the possible withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has proposed a phased transfer of territory to the Lebanese Army, which would assume control over areas where Hezbollah maintains a presence. However, the group itself is not participating in the negotiations.

Additional disagreements emerged after a U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that Israel had allegedly carried out a partial withdrawal from the buffer zone as a goodwill gesture toward the Lebanese government. According to the U.S. side, the move was intended to become part of a mechanism for transferring control of the territories to the Lebanese Army and dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

However, both Israeli and Lebanese officials denied reports of any troop withdrawal. A senior Israeli defence official stated that the country's policy remains unchanged and that no withdrawal from the buffer zone is planned.

Photo credit: The Jerusalem Post