Israeli defense minister Israel Katz claimed yesterday that Israel has “no territorial ambitions in Lebanon,” but the IDF will not withdraw “a millimeter” until Hezbollah is disarmed. Since everyone knows that Hezbollah won’t disarm while Israel is occupying any Lebanese territory, Katz’s statement is de facto a declaration that Israeli forces will stay in Lebanon indefinitely.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Katz said the military is unlikely to withdraw from additional areas of southern Lebanon beyond the two agreed-upon locations from which it will pull out as part of a pilot program that will see the Lebanese army take over, reported The Times of Israel. “People should not hold their breath wondering where the next place will be from which Israel will withdraw in Lebanon, because it will not happen until Hezbollah is disarmed. We have no territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but until Hezbollah is disarmed, we will not withdraw a millimeter,” Katz said.