Israel Vows Permanent Presence in Lebanon Despite US Rebuke

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain a long-term presence in security zones across southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. During a visit to troops in the Beaufort area, Katz stated the military is "destroying all the houses" and underground infrastructure to protect northern Israeli communities from raids. This position was echoed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that withdrawal from Gaza will not occur until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.

The United States Department of State rebuked the announcement, stating that a permanent military presence in southern Lebanon is "inconsistent" with the framework agreement established in June. While Washington supports a gradual redeployment tied to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah, it emphasized that Israel has previously stated it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

Concurrent with these declarations, Israeli strikes in Nabatieh killed one person and targeted rescue teams and civil defense workers. In Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, the Lebanese Army reported that Israeli forces detonated a municipality building, a school, and a health clinic. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned these actions as a "systematic destruction" and a violation of international humanitarian law. The Lebanese Army further noted that these demolitions are hindering its own deployment in the south. The United States is planning a new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Rome for early September.