‘Don’t Need Approval To Stay’: Israel Rejects Trump’s Claim That Its Troops Will Leave Lebanon

Last Updated:July 09, 2026, 15:22 IST

Israel’s defence minister rejected Trump’s assertion that its troops would leave southern Lebanon, saying they will remain in the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has rejected US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Israeli troops will withdraw from southern Lebanon, making it clear that Israel does not need anyone’s approval to remain in the territory.

“We didn’t ask for anyone’s approval to enter Lebanon and we don’t need approval to stay in Lebanon," Katz said in a statement. “It is our right and duty to defend the residents of the Galilee and Israeli citizens from the threats."

Katz said Israel’s position remained unchanged and that troops would continue operating from what Israel describes as a security zone in southern Lebanon.

“As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have clarified, we will continue to stay in the security zone in Lebanon and to act from it as needed until Hezbollah is disarmed in all of Lebanon and the threat to the residents of the north is removed," Katz said.

What Trump Said

His remarks came after Trump said on Wednesday that he believed Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon because it wanted to take that step, despite Israeli leaders publicly indicating otherwise.

Speaking to reporters at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump said he had discussed a withdrawal with Netanyahu. “Yeah, I think they’re going to. I think they want to," Trump said. “So we have a deal with Israel and Lebanon. Yeah, they’ll leave. And I think it’s going to work out very well."

Netanyahu’s Stand

Netanyahu, however, had visited Lebanese territory occupied by the Israeli military last month, telling soldiers that “Israel would not withdraw from the country’s south as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah continued to pose a threat."

What The US-Brokered Deal Says

The latest disagreement comes days after Israel and Lebanon reached a US-mediated security agreement on June 26, under which Israel agreed to hand over two areas to the Lebanese army.

The deal was framed by all sides as only a first step, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the US would help implement the deal through a trilateral “Military Coordination Group for Lebanon" and would commit significant resources, including an immediate $100 million in humanitarian assistance in coordination with the UN.

Netanyahu had said the agreement would allow the Lebanese army “to begin organizing to take control of territory," starting with two “pilot zones" from which Israeli troops would withdraw. But he also made it clear that Israel would not leave southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah continued to pose a threat.

Israel describes the territory it controls in southern Lebanon as a “security zone" or “buffer zone" aimed at preventing Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel.

Hezbollah’s Opposition

Hezbollah has opposed the agreement. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said Lebanese authorities would not be able to enforce the deal unless, with US support, “they go to civil war," according to pro-Iranian broadcaster Al Mayadeen.

Fadlallah said Hezbollah would confront any measure taken by Lebanese authorities and would hold on to its weapons even more, adding that the group’s opposition was “serious" and would not allow authorities to implement their commitments on the ground.

How The Conflict Began

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah broke out after the Iran-backed group fired at Israel on March 2, days after the US and Israel attacked Iran. The fighting triggered Israeli air and ground operations in Lebanon, killing more than 4,000 people and displacing over a million.

Even after the ceasefire, violence has continued in parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces also recently dropped leaflets over the southern Lebanese town of Mansouri, warning residents not to enter the area, which Israel said falls within the security zone where its troops operate.

About the Author

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo...Read More

News world ‘Don’t Need Approval To Stay’: Israel Rejects Trump’s Claim That Its Troops Will Leave Lebanon

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