Katz says Iran prevented Hezbollah's 'collapse'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump linked the Lebanese and Iranian arenas to serve U.S. interests -- following an Iranian demand -- asserting that without this connection, Hezbollah would have "collapsed."
Katz added that this prompted Israel to move to its "Plan B," which involves reinforcing the Yello Line in southern Lebanon, amid the restrictions imposed by the United States on attacking other parts of the country.
Katz also claimed that he reached an agreement with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper stipulating that "there would be no withdrawal from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip."
The Israeli minister emphasized that "there would be no further withdrawals after withdrawal from the two pilot zones in south Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed."
He added that "Lebanese Army soldiers will not suddenly transform into lions to attack Hezbollah," affirming that "the Israeli army's presence in southern Lebanon would be long-term."
Source: Naharnet
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