Israel Defense Minister Katz: 'We Will Not Withdraw from Buffer Zones'

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz denied the statement of a US official that Israel would withdraw from the 'buffer zones' in Lebanon. Katz emphasized that they will stay in the 'buffer zones' in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza as long as necessary. Katz made a statement and said:

We will not withdraw from the buffer zones. The army will stay in the buffer zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza as long as necessary.

A US State Department official had previously announced that Israel would withdraw from part of the South Lebanese territory it occupies and that the Lebanese armed forces would take over. The official stated that this step would be a significant gesture of goodwill towards Lebanon's legitimate government.