Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz vows prolonged army presence in southern Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said the Israeli army will continue its operations inside Lebanon to remove what he described as threats and to guarantee the security of residents in Israel's northern region. He expressed support for troops following the death of a Golani Brigade officer in a clash with Hezbollah fighters.

Katz also stated that Israel will not withdraw from the areas it currently controls in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, describing the deployment as a "long‑term" commitment. He referenced ongoing coordination with the United States and the broader framework agreements aimed at ending Israeli military presence in Lebanon.