US pushes back on Katz: Israel, Lebanon expected to uphold agreement
The U.S. State Department pushed back on remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said Tuesday during a tour of IDF-held territory in southern Lebanon that Israel would not withdraw from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria or Gaza.
“Washington expects all parties to act in accordance with the framework agreement reached by Israel and Lebanon, and Israel has clearly stated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon,” a State Department spokesperson told the Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan.
“A permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is inconsistent with the commitments contained in the framework agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon and does not serve long-term peace and security between the two countries,” the spokesperson added.
