Katz: Israel Needs No Permission to Remain in Southern Lebanon

Defense Minister Israel Katz said this morning (Thursday) that Israel does not need approval from any outside party to operate in Lebanese territory or to maintain its presence in the security zone established in southern Lebanon. According to Katz, the continued military presence is intended to protect northern residents and prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities or renewing its threat to Israel.

"We did not ask anyone's permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to remain in Lebanon," Katz said. "It is our right and our duty to defend the residents of the Galilee and the citizens of Israel against the threats of the jihadist terrorist organization Hezbollah, which aspires to destroy the State of Israel."

The defense minister also addressed the security developments that led to the expansion of the fighting against Hezbollah. According to Katz, the terror organization launched two rounds of attacks against Israel on its own initiative: the first following Hamas's October 7 attack, and the second at the start of Operation "Rising Lion" in Iran, when it fired at Israel on orders from the Iranian regime.

Katz said Israel responded forcefully and has significantly weakened Hezbollah's military capabilities and leadership over the past two and a half years. He highlighted the killing of the organization's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, describing him as "the arch-terrorist" and one of the chief architects of the plan to destroy Israel.

He also described the security zone in southern Lebanon, saying it extends "from the sea in the west to the Beaufort complex and the approaches to Mount Hermon in the east." According to Katz, the area has been cleared of residents and terror infrastructure, both above and below ground, and is intended to prevent infiltration attempts, cross-border raids, and anti-tank missile attacks against northern Israel.

Katz said the establishment of the security zone was made possible "thanks to the decisions of the political leadership, the determination of IDF command, the spirit and bravery of IDF soldiers, and the resilience of northern residents."

Concluding his remarks, the defense minister reaffirmed the government's position: "As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, we will continue to remain in the security zone in Lebanon and operate from it as long as necessary, until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to northern residents is removed."

"We promised security to the residents of the north, and that is what we have done and what we will continue to do," he said.