Katz says Israel won’t withdraw until Hezbollah disarmed across Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stressed that Israel will not leave the so-called security zone, nor will it withdraw or redeploy its forces in southern Lebanon, until Hezbollah is disarmed across the country.
In a statement, Katz noted that the Ali al-Taher heights are part of the "Yellow Line" and the Israeli security zone in Lebanon, explaining that the Israeli army has prepared to prevent any attempt by Hezbollah -- or any other party -- to return to the Ali al-Taher ridge.
Katz also emphasized that anyone approaching the Ali al-Taher heights will be eliminated.
Israel's Channel 12 earlier reported that Israel was “considering the possibility of deploying the Lebanese Army to the Ali al-Taher area and its surroundings.”
“The Israeli army will reduce its forces in the Yellow Line area of southern Lebanon,” the channel added.
Israel's public broadcaster meanwhile said that the Israeli army is preparing to redeploy in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army has already carried out a limited withdrawal from the Ali al-Taher heights to the Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif) in south Lebanon.
