Israeli defense minister rebukes Trump’s suggestion that IDF will withdraw from Lebanon

Published July 9, 2026 10:13am ET | Updated July 9, 2026 10:13am ET



Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a rebuke to President Donald Trump, responding to his suggestion that Israel may withdraw from southern Lebanon by saying it didn’t need approval from anyone.

Katz had previously suggested that Israel would remain in Lebanon, even if the United States demanded that the country leave. Trump didn’t demand as much but did publicly favor a withdrawal at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Katz firmly shot down the notion on Thursday.

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