Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, despite a newly announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran that is said to include an end to hostilities with Hezbollah.

In a statement, Katz outlined Israel's policy:

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that determines that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect the border and Israeli communities from there against jihadist elements."

He added that these security zones will be "cleared of local residents, and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including the houses in the contact-line villages that served as terror outposts, will be destroyed."

Katz described holding the security zones as "among the IDF's greatest achievements" in the war, stating:

"We oppose an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all the existing pressures and those that will still come."

He noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu conveyed this stance to US President Trump and other senior American officials, and that Katz himself reiterated it to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Katz emphasized:

"We will not compromise on Israel's security interests and the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones."

Katz also warned that if Iran attacks Israel over the situation in Lebanon, "we will strike it with full force," adding, "We are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel."