Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said the linkage between the Lebanese front and US-Iran understandings prevented what he claimed would have been Hezbollah’s collapse, adding that Israel has since adopted a new strategy centred on maintaining its military presence in southern Lebanon.
Speaking during a briefing with military correspondents on Monday, Katz said Israel was forced to alter its military approach after Washington linked developments in Lebanon to negotiations with Iran.
“When President Donald Trump linked Iran and Lebanon, we stopped bombing buildings in Beirut,” Katz said, according to Israeli Army Radio.
He argued that connecting the two fronts served US interests and reflected the constraints of Israel’s strategic partnership with Washington.
“If there hadn’t been a link between the Lebanese and Iranian fronts, Hezbollah would have collapsed,” Katz said. “We moved to Plan B: deepening the security zone along the ‘yellow line’ in southern Lebanon.”
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Katz revealed that five telephone conversations took place between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump before the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
According to Katz, the US position shifted during the fifth call, in which he did not participate.
“I wasn’t present in the fifth call, and President Trump exerted pressure,” he said. “From that moment, the two arenas became linked. Residents returned to southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah strengthened its presence there.”
His remarks suggested that Washington imposed limits on Israeli military operations in Lebanon and appeared to criticise Netanyahu’s handling of the discussions with the US administration.
Addressing the US-backed framework agreement with Lebanon, Katz said Israel would not proceed with any further withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
“Don’t expect to see where Israel will withdraw next in Lebanon, because that won’t happen until Hezbollah disarms,” he said.
“We have no territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but until Hezbollah disarms, we will not withdraw one millimetre.”
The comments come as US-mediated efforts continue to secure a lasting ceasefire and negotiate security arrangements along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
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