Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jun 15: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Israel will not withdraw from territories it has seized in Lebanon, even as an interim United States–Iran agreement is expected to be signed on Friday aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.

Katz made the remarks in what is being seen as the first official Israeli response following the announcement of the interim deal. He said Israel intends to maintain its presence “indefinitely” in areas it currently holds in Lebanon, as well as in Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to Katz, Iran has linked the interim agreement to a halt in Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. He further warned that if Iran responds militarily to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel would retaliate with “great force.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir strongly criticised the reported deal between the United States and Iran, saying Israel was not bound by any such agreement.

“Trump’s agreement does not bind us… We are not a party to this agreement. It does not safeguard our security,” Ben Gvir said on his Telegram channel, adding that Israel must continue its military objectives.

He also insisted that Israel should not withdraw from any territory captured during its operations and called for the complete dismantling of Hezbollah.

Over the past two and a half years, Israel has reportedly taken control of around 1,000 square kilometres of territory across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, an area slightly smaller than New York City, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.