Israel rejects US call to pull troops from Lebanon

The United States announced that the Israeli Defence Forces had partially withdrawn from Lebanese territory, a claim that both Israeli and Lebanese officials dismissed as inaccurate. Israeli sources said its forces have not withdrawn and have even intensified operations, including an attack that killed two civilians in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told an event in Tel Aviv that Israel will not remove its troops from southern Lebanon even if the United States demands it, citing security concerns for roughly 200,000 displaced residents. He noted ongoing clashes with Hezbollah, which have resulted in the deaths of 32 Israeli soldiers. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports more than 4,000 Lebanese civilians killed and over 12,000 injured since early March.

The disagreement comes as the United States, under President Donald Trump, pushes for a broader cease‑fire and links a potential Israeli withdrawal to a 60‑day truce in the region, part of wider US‑Iran negotiations. No withdrawal agreement has been reached.