Story perspectives

Israel Won’t Withdraw Until Hezbollah Is Disarmed, Katz Says

8/13/2026

Summary

Katz Rejects Withdrawal

Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Katz ordered the Israel Defence Forces to ready a long-term presence.
U.S. State Department officials said a permanent Israeli presence breaches the withdrawal-disarmament framework, affirming that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.
Lebanese Armed Forces have begun the first “pilot zones” under the conditions-based withdrawal plan.

Summary

US Senators Propose

Lebanon’s health ministry says Israeli strikes have killed 4,333 people and displaced over one million, about a fifth of the population.
Hezbollah will withdraw only south of the Litani River and refuses to disarm in the north, officials report.
U.S. senators have proposed a $1.2 billion five-year aid package for Lebanon that ties funding to a weapons monopoly and Hezbollah disarmament.

History

Historical Context

In July 2006 Hezbollah’s raid triggered a 34-day war that ended with UN Resolution 1701 on 11 August 2006, demanding Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah’s disarmament south of the Litani River. The ceasefire left Hezbollah armed—nearly 4,000 rockets were fired—and stationed 27,000 UNIFIL and Lebanese troops in the south. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz’s refusal to leave the security zone mirrors that unresolved stalemate, sustaining diplomatic pressure.

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Katz Rejects Withdrawal

Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Katz ordered the Israel Defence Forces to ready a long-term presence.
U.S. State Department officials said a permanent Israeli presence breaches the withdrawal-disarmament framework, affirming that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.
Lebanese Armed Forces have begun the first “pilot zones” under the conditions-based withdrawal plan.

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