Katz vows 'no withdrawal' as Israeli strikes hit Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes and explosions injured several people across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the National News Agency (NNA) reported, as Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a defiant statement from an occupied area vowing that troops would not withdraw under any circumstances. In the Bint Jbeil district, an Israeli drone targeted a road in Kfara, causing injuries, while forces carried out a major explosion in Haddatha and dropped explosives on the outskirts of Beit Yahoun, the agency said. In the Marjayoun district, warplanes struck near Deir Siriane and explosions were reported along the Wadi Saluki Road, while Israeli warplanes also struck Mansouri in the Tyre district and drones flew at low altitude over Beirut.

'No withdrawal' vow

Katz made his remarks in a recorded statement from an area in southern Lebanon that is occupied by Israeli forces. "Just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, we will not withdraw from this security zone," Katz said, describing the area as extending from the Mediterranean coast in the west to Beaufort Castle and the approaches to Mount Hermon in the east. "We will not move from here and we will not withdraw," he said. "We will secure this area and ensure the security of residents in the north."

Occupied territories

Katz stated that Israel will not withdraw "under any circumstances from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria or Gaza," claiming the deployment protects northern Israeli communities and alleging that troops defeated Hezbollah and seized Beaufort Castle. The statement comes amid continued violations of a June 26 framework agreement sponsored by Washington, which calls for Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups. Israeli forces have remained in southern Lebanon since launching an offensive on March 2 that has killed 4,335 people and displaced more than one million, according to Lebanese authorities.

In Syria, the occupied areas include territory seized following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, including the buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and strategic positions around Mount Hermon. In Gaza, buffer zones established by the military constitute an estimated 50% to 70% of the Strip's area, where the Health Ministry reported Wednesday that post-ceasefire violations have killed 1,259 Palestinians and wounded 4,148 since October.