US Rejects Israel's Push for Permanent Lebanon Occupation

The Trump administration has rebuked Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz over his recent declaration that Israeli forces will maintain a permanent occupation of southern Lebanon, according to Axios.

A senior State Department official rejected the minister's remarks, stating they violate the terms of a U.S.-brokered trilateral framework agreement established between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Beirut.

The diplomatic friction emerged after Katz visited Israeli military units stationed in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

During the tour, Katz ordered the military to finalize logistical preparations for an indefinite deployment.

He declared that the military "is here to stay in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza" and insisted that Israel is "not withdrawing from this security zone."

U.S. Diplomatic Pushback

Washington swiftly countered the defense minister's assertions.

A senior State Department representative emphasized that Tel Aviv previously committed to having no territorial ambitions within Lebanese borders.

The official warned that altering this stance threatens regional stability.

"A permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon is not consistent with the commitments made in the framework agreement, and does not align with the long-term peace and security of both countries," the official stated, according to Axios.

Washington reiterated its absolute support for Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The State Department also stressed that all involved parties must adhere strictly to the established framework.

Conditions-Based Redeployment

Secretary of State Marco Rubio mediated the trilateral framework in late June.

The agreement outlines a sequenced mechanism for restoring the sovereign authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Under the framework, Israeli forces are required to execute a progressive redeployment from Lebanese territory.

This withdrawal remains conditional on the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and the comprehensive dismantling of its operational infrastructure.

The agreement also establishes a U.S.-facilitated trilateral military coordination group to oversee the transition.

Pilot Zone Implementation

Initial phases of the agreement are already active.

The Lebanese Armed Forces have commenced operations in designated initial "pilot zones."

State Department officials confirmed that Washington will continue supporting the complete implementation of these limited withdrawals.

Israel currently maintains a security buffer in southern Lebanon amid active hostilities with Hezbollah.

The latest U.S. rebuke underscores mounting diplomatic friction over the execution timeline for the agreed-upon Israeli withdrawal.