Israeli Defense Minister denies US pressure to withdraw
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that the United States has not demanded that Israeli forces leave Lebanon, even as Israeli troops remain stationed in the capital Beirut. The statement comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in early March when the Iran-backed group launched attacks in support of Tehran.
Conflict escalation since March
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in early March 2026, following months of cross-border tensions. Hezbollah initiated the attacks, claiming solidarity with Iran amid its regional confrontations. Since then, Israeli forces have advanced into southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut, marking the first Israeli ground presence in the city since the 2006 war.
According to the Israeli military, over 150,000 residents have been displaced from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has fired more than 2,000 rockets into northern Israel, causing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
US stance and diplomatic efforts
Katz emphasized that Washington has not issued any formal request for an Israeli pullout. “There is no American demand to leave Lebanon,” he told reporters in Jerusalem. “We are coordinating closely with the United States on all security matters.”
US State Department officials have declined to comment on specific operational details but reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defense. However, diplomatic sources indicate that Washington has urged restraint and is pushing for a ceasefire to prevent a wider regional war.
Humanitarian and regional impact
The conflict has drawn in other Iran-aligned groups, with Houthi rebels in Yemen launching long-range missiles toward Israel and Iraqi militias targeting US bases in Syria. The United Nations reports that over 300,000 people have been displaced across Lebanon, and the country’s economy, already in crisis, has suffered further damage.
International mediators, including France and Qatar, are attempting to broker a ceasefire, but negotiations have stalled over Hezbollah’s demand for a full Israeli withdrawal and Israel’s insistence on security guarantees along the border.
