Israel’s defense minister says IDF will remain in southern Lebanon security zone regardless of US pressure, adding that 200,000 residents will not be permitted to return.By World Israel News StaffDefense Minister Israel Katz vowed Wednesday that Israeli forces would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even under American pressure, as Washington pushes efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon front and advance a limited handover of some areas to the Lebanese army.Speaking at the Muni Expo conference for local officials in Tel Aviv, Katz said Israel would maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon despite diplomatic pressure tied to US-backed talks between Israel and Lebanon.Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon “even if there is an American demand,” Katz said.“We are not withdrawing,” he added.Katz said Israel would not allow some 200,000 Lebanese residents to return to areas inside the security zone, arguing that the presence of civilians in such areas had previously enabled attacks on Israeli soldiers.“200,000 residents will not return. Because what happened in the past in security zones, where there was also a civilian population, was roadside bombs and attacks against the soldiers, and therefore we will not allow that,” he said.“Even if there is an American demand — we will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. 200,000 residents will not return. There are no residents and no terrorists,” Katz continued.“In the past, in security zones where there was a civilian population, there were explosive devices and attacks against soldiers. Therefore we do not allow this. Soldiers inside, residents outside.”“The infrastructure is destroyed, the houses are threatening and destroyed — we are not withdrawing,” he said.Katz’s comments came as Israel and Lebanon are holding US-mediated talks in Washington on a proposal that could see Israeli forces leave some areas of southern Lebanon and transfer them to Lebanese army control.Multiple news outlets reported that the discussions include a US-backed “pilot” plan under which Lebanese troops would take control of certain areas after being trained and vetted by the US to ensure they have no ties to Hezbollah. Israeli officials said Israel would still maintain a buffer zone along the border.A senior Lebanese security official told Reuters that the talks were focused on a timeline for Israeli withdrawal and that a plan would only emerge after the final day of discussions.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said talks on proposed “pilot areas” were continuing and awaiting Israeli approval, according to his office.The push for a withdrawal arrangement is taking place against the backdrop of a broader US-Iran understanding that includes language on ending hostilities in Lebanon.Iran has said Lebanon is part of the agreement and that it includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops, while Israel has said it is not bound by any deal negotiated between Washington and Tehran.Israeli officials have sharply criticized any effort to link Lebanon to the US-Iran track.Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said Tuesday that the Israel-Lebanon negotiating channel had been intended to remove Iran’s influence from Lebanon, not bring Tehran into decisions about Hezbollah.“We are in a train wreck,” Leiter said in a Hebrew statement as the talks began.“We sat in the same car and traveled to the same destination, with the United States serving as the locomotive. The train was heading in a very clear direction: full peace between the countries, Iran and its malign influence out of Lebanon, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and peace and security for Lebanon and Israel,” he said.“Today, this train is in danger of derailing. I hope we can get it back on track,” he added.Leiter said Iran’s role should be limited to leaving Lebanon.“The basic premise [of these talks] was that Iran was not involved, and the main discussion is about Lebanon and Hezbollah — not about the extent to which Iran can restrain Hezbollah,” he said. “That is not Iran’s role. Its role is to get out of Lebanon. The role of the Lebanese government is to exercise its sovereignty. Sovereignty means that Iran will no longer be involved… in Lebanon.”He also warned that Hezbollah could emerge emboldened if diplomatic arrangements limited Israel’s ability to operate against the group.“The only issue is Hezbollah. Hezbollah must be defeated and removed from the equation. Instead, there is a danger that Hezbollah has received a boost. It certainly feels stronger and bolder,” Leiter said.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defense officials have also said Israel intends to maintain freedom of action in southern Lebanon.The post IDF won’t withdraw from Lebanon – even if US demands it, says DM appeared first on World Israel News.