Israel has no intention of withdrawing its troops from the areas in southern Lebanon controlled by the IDF. This was stated by the country’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, amid reports of an agreement between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
According to Katz, in the event of an attack by Iran, Israel will launch a retaliatory strike.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, stated that the agreements between Washington and Tehran do not impose any obligations on Israel.
According to Ben-Gvir, Israel “must not agree to anything less than the elimination of Hezbollah” and must not withdraw its troops from the territory it has captured in southern Lebanon.
The pro-Iranian group Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and Israel. In the European Union, Hezbollah’s military wing is designated as a terrorist organisation, but not the political party.
The Jerusalem Post, citing sources in the Israeli army, reports that if Hezbollah adheres to the ceasefire, the Israeli army will not carry out strikes on Lebanese territory.
On 14 June, Israel struck Hezbollah targets in the suburbs of Beirut. US President Donald Trump called on Tehran to refrain from retaliatory action and return to negotiations. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, one of the points in the memorandum between the US and Iran provides for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
On the evening of 14 June, Trump announced the conclusion of an agreement with Iran, the lifting of the blockade and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.