His comments came a day after Lebanon and Israel said they had agreed to implement a ceasefire during talks in Washington.
In a statement, Katz said troops would remain in its so-called security zone in southern Lebanon, including in the area of Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress captured by Israel on Saturday.
Lebanon, Israel and the US issue a joint statementIsrael and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish a number of pilot security zones in southern Lebanon from which Hezbollah militants would be excluded.
“All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments.
Lebanese security officials said Israeli drone strikes killed at least six people in southern Lebanon and targeted a vehicle in Khaldeh, south of Beirut.
DUBAI: Israel will continue its operations on the ground in southern Lebanon for the time being and Lebanese residents forced from their homes by Israel would not be able to return, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday.
His comments came a day after Lebanon and Israel said they had agreed to implement a ceasefire during talks in Washington. The deal is contingent on a cessation of fire from militant group Hezbollah.
In a statement, Katz said troops would remain in its so-called security zone in southern Lebanon, including in the area of Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress captured by Israel on Saturday.
He said Israel would continue to “dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the area” while Israel had “freedom of action, backed by the United States, to strike in Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli communities and territory.”
Lebanon and Israel agreed on Wednesday to a new US-backed ceasefire in Lebanon. They had previously agreed to a cessation of hostilities in April that was then extended in May, but violence has continued.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told local outlets on Thursday that a US-brokered ceasefire agreed the previous evening between Lebanon and Israel could come into force within 24 hours of all concerned parties approving it.
The comments appeared to refer to Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Israeli ambassador to US confident on ceasefire, says June 22 talks planned
Israel’s ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday he was confident a newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would hold, describing it as a break from decades of cyclical violence along the border.
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told reporters in Washington that the agreement, backed by the United States, would involve a US-guided “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon, where Lebanese army units and special forces would gradually deploy to prevent a return of Hezbollah fighters after Israeli withdrawals. He said the arrangement was designed to avoid a repeat of past ceasefires that collapsed.
“We are no longer going into a pattern of negotiating ceasefires where Israel leaves, Hezbollah comes back,” Leiter said. “This has stopped, we are full of hope that this time it will succeed.”
The ceasefire, announced following negotiations in Washington, is contingent on a full halt of hostilities by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and the withdrawal of its operatives from areas south of the Litani River, according to the US State Department. It comes after months of fighting that escalated when Israel launched an offensive in March targeting Hezbollah positions.
Leiter said talks mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had already progressed through several rounds and would continue on June 22, with the aim of advancing toward a broader settlement.
He also said discussions were underway on a possible meeting involving the US, Israeli and Lebanese presidents, though no timeline had been set. “We want to see it happen. At the right time, we believe it’s going to happen,” Leiter said, adding that groundwork was being laid to ensure any such talks would succeed.
Lebanon, Israel and the US issue a joint statement
Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish a number of pilot security zones in southern Lebanon from which Hezbollah militants would be excluded.
In a joint statement issued after a fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department, the two sides said the ceasefire would be contingent on a complete halt to Hezbollah attacks and the withdrawal of the group’s operatives from areas south of the Litani River.
“The two sides agreed, with the guidance of the United States, to swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors,” the statement said.
The agreement is intended to pave the way for a broader peace and security arrangement between the two countries.
“These steps will enable progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the statement said. “All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage.”
The reference appeared aimed at Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer. Tehran has insisted that any agreement to end its conflict with the United States and Israel must also include a halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Hezbollah is not participating in the Israel-Lebanon talks.
Israel and Lebanon previously agreed to a cessation of hostilities in April, later extended in May, but fighting has continued despite the truce efforts.
A US-mediated arrangement announced Monday prompted Israel to suspend plans for strikes on Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, while Hezbollah halted cross-border attacks.
Nevertheless, violence persisted on Wednesday. Lebanese security officials said Israeli drone strikes killed at least six people in southern Lebanon and targeted a vehicle in Khaldeh, south of Beirut. Israel said it intercepted a hostile aircraft launched from Lebanon but did not immediately attribute it to Hezbollah.
The two sides also agreed to continue direct political and security negotiations. They are expected to reconvene during the week of June 22 in an effort to build confidence and resolve outstanding disputes.
Lebanon hopes the ceasefire can be expanded into a comprehensive nationwide agreement. Israel, meanwhile, is demanding Hezbollah’s disarmament before ending military operations in Lebanon and withdrawing troops from villages and towns it continues to occupy.
