Israel says no timeframe for troop withdrawal from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria
Israel said Thursday that it had set no timetable for withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, as Israeli and Lebanese officials engaged in U.S.-brokered talks in Washington.
The Israeli military has launched widespread airstrikes in Lebanon and sent troops into the country's south after Hezbollah, the powerful group backed by Iran, entered the Middle East war on the side of its patron in March.
"We must remain in the security zone in Lebanon, in Syria, and in Gaza, and not for a limited time, in order to defend our residents and communities from there against jihadist elements," Defense Minister Israel Katz said at a graduation ceremony at a military academy.
"We oppose the withdrawal of IDF (Israeli army) forces from the security zone in Lebanon, despite all the pressures that exist and those still to come."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the same function that troops would remain in south Lebanon "as long as necessary."
"I have made it clear to the IDF (army): you have full freedom of action."
Earlier on Thursday, government spokesman David Mencer told journalists that "we will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat, are not disarmed and are not demilitarized."
Under U.S. pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks in April with Israel in Washington.
The latest three-day round of talks is due to wrap up on Thursday.
Commenting on the negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Lebanon and Israel were close to making a "commitment of intent".
Asked about the talks, Mencer said: "We are making extremely clear that our responsibility is to our northern citizens and to the whole of Israel, and we will not allow any terrorist force anywhere near our border -- which means that any redeployment of IDF (army) forces comes after, not before, but after the demilitarization of southern Lebanon and the disarming of Hezbollah."
"We've already been in this situation in 2024," he added. "Hezbollah were supposed to be disarmed. They weren't."
Source: Agence France Presse
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