Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz firmly rejected any military withdrawal from southern Lebanon despite intensifying diplomatic pressure from the United States administration. He stated that armed forces would remain stationed inside the territory to prevent northern Israeli communities from facing previous cross-border security threats.
The defense chief emphasized that keeping active troops deployed across foreign borders remains a core pillar of Israel’s current security doctrine. He added that the military would maintain its presence in designated security zones stretching into both Lebanon and Syria.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the current direct talks taking place in Washington as a historic milestone for regional diplomacy. He reiterated the official stance that Hezbollah continues to pose an existential danger to Lebanese sovereignty and Israeli border stability.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam countered these statements by clarifying that the disarmament of militant factions was an internal necessity rather than a concession to Israel. He stated that Lebanon engaged in direct negotiations specifically to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from all disputed border points.
The Lebanese premier noted that a specialized coordination cell established in Switzerland is working simultaneously to help maintain a stable environment on the ground. However, he swelled upon the reality that the primary track for resolving major territorial conflicts remains centered on the ongoing diplomatic sessions in Washington.
This intense diplomatic standoff unfolds during a fifth round of peace talks brokered in Washington to end the conflict that erupted on March second. Relations between Washington and Tel Aviv face severe strain after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Benjamin Netanyahu’s wartime policies.
The American administration has actively attempted to use its diplomatic leverage to de-escalate the border crisis and establish long-term security mechanisms. Despite these international efforts, Israeli leadership maintains that military positions within the buffer zone will not be abandoned prematurely.
