"The prime minister and I have instructed the IDF (military) to prepare for an extended stay in the security zone," Katz said in a video statement, referring to the area controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon.
Katz further said that a possible Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is conditional on Iran-backed Hezbollah laying down its arms.
The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no Israeli regrouping in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as the terrorist organization Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon, he said.
Agreement in Washington
On Saturday, Israeli forces carried out a drone strike in Nabatieh in the south against what the Israeli military calls “terrorists,” usually referring to Hezbollah. Israeli warplanes have also attacked targets in the same region, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
The attacks and Katz's remarks come after Israel pledged to begin withdrawing forces from parts of southern Lebanon, according to the agreement reached between the countries in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The idea is that Lebanon's military will instead enter the areas Israel leaves.
Warns Iran
Hezbollah has condemned the peace deal between the countries. On Saturday, the Shiite militia leader Naim Qassem called the agreement a mistake and said it “legitimizes Israeli occupation.”
After the agreement was signed, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that the settlement with Israel will mean the end of the occupation.
Israel Katz also warns Iran against interfering in the implementation of the Lebanon settlement. In that case, Israel will act with "great force."
