Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected US President Donald Trump's Wednesday claim that Israel would withdraw from Lebanon, saying on Thursday that Israel would remain in the security zones for as long as was needed.
"We did not ask anyone's permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to stay in Lebanon," Katz stated.
He also stated that it was Israel's "privilege and right" to protect its people from Hezbollah, and that IDF forces would maintain a presence in southern Lebanon until the terror group was completely disarmed and the threat had been fully removed.
Trump claims he spoke with Netanyahu on IDF withdrawal
On Wednesday, Trump said that he thought Israel would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon because it wanted to take that step, despite previous comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating otherwise.
Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara that he had discussed a withdrawal with Netanyahu.
"Yeah, I think they're going to. I think they want to," Trump said. "So we have a deal with Israel and Lebanon. Yeah, they'll leave. And I think it's going to work out very well."
