Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even if the United States demands it.

Katz’s comment is the first time any top Israeli official has publicly said they would go against the U.S. regarding Lebanon, after two weeks of avoidance. Stressing the danger posed to soldiers, Katz invoked the possibility of U.S. pressure at the Muni Expo conference for local officials in Tel Aviv for the first time. As long as Hezbollah remains armed, he said, Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, “even if there is an American demand.”