Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has declared that Israeli forces will continue strikes on Lebanon and will not withdraw from the south, despite a ceasefire agreement announced in Washington that is contingent on Hezbollah halting its attacks.
The United States said Lebanese and Israeli officials had agreed to implement the ceasefire, but Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, was not part of the talks and has yet to comment on the arrangement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Katz confirmed that Israeli forces would remain in a self-declared “security zone” in southern Lebanon, including Beaufort Castle, which was seized over the weekend.
He said Israel would continue operations “without the return of the population” and maintain military pressure on Hezbollah positions.
“Israel will, for the time being, continue its fire and operations on the ground,” Katz said, adding that the military had “freedom of action, backed by the U.S., to strike in Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli communities and territory.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the Washington statement as “a final opportunity to secure a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire,” but said Lebanon’s position would only be finalized after consultations with domestic parties, particularly Hezbollah.
The conflict has displaced more than 1.2 million people, mostly Shi’ite Muslims, according to Lebanese authorities.
Hostilities escalated on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran, and the war has continued despite several ceasefires announced in Washington since April.