Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon would continue to confront any threats, and the troops would maintain their position in the security zone established across the border, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
“There has never been, and there is currently no restriction on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon from acting to eliminate threats,” Katz said.
These remarks came hours after Iran announced that it would not engage in talks on a broader settlement with Washington unless the conflict in Lebanon comes to an end.
“As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear: Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon,” Katz added in a statement.
War in Iran
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead and triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Lebanese Conflict
Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on March 2 when Hezbollah launched a series of attacks to support its ally, Tehran. As a result, Israel has launched an extensive military campaign that has since killed more than 3000 people.
On Wednesday, Iran and the United States signed an agreement to end the conflict, offering some relief and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Moreover, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah agreed on Friday to a ceasefire that was set to take effect at 4 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Friday, following a sharp escalation in hostilities overnight in Lebanon. However, Israel attacked Lebanon on Saturday, killing at least 20 people.
Related Topics:
Syria Has No Plans to Intervene in Lebanon
Lebanon Insists Talks with Israel ‘Independent’ of US-Iran Deal
Hezbollah Urges Lebanon to Restore Relations With Iran
