Katz says Israeli army’s presence in southern Lebanon not part of cease-fire agreement

BEIRUT — Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, acknowledged that the Israeli army’s presence at five points in southern Lebanon was not part of the November 2024 cease-fire agreement, Lebanese media outlets reported on Tuesday. This marks the first time an Israeli official has acknowledged that the Israeli army's continued occupation is not part of the agreement, which was signed after 13 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Katz noted that Tel Aviv "imposed Israeli presence on the ground", and the American side "accepted it." “We will not withdraw from Lebanon as long as Hezbollah possesses weapons", he said, adding that “it is up to others to adapt.”

The minister was speaking at a defense exhibition in Israel, where he also called for Tel Aviv to be less strategically dependent on the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking broader freedom of action from U.S. President Donald Trump in the region — particularly in Lebanon, Gaza and Iran —though without success so far.

Despite the cease-fire, Israel also continues to carry out near-daily strikes, mainly in the South and occasionally in the Bekaa. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army continues its plan to disarm non-state armed groups, mainly Hezbollah. After Lebanese authorities announced that it achieved its plan south of the Litani River, the army commander presented to the cabinet on Monday the second phase of the plan, which corresponds to the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, noting that this phase will take four to eight months.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, called on the government to "give up the weapons monopoly," urging it to "put an end to any initiative" bearing that title.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said last month that efforts by Beirut and the Lebanese army “are an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient."