Israeli defence minister says Israel has 'no intention of withdrawing' from southern Lebanon

<article data-history-node-id="442823" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-defense-minister-says-israel-has-no-intention-withdrawing" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-defense-minister-says-israel-has-no-intention-withdrawing" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli defence minister says Israel has 'no intention of withdrawing' from southern Lebanon</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p data-testid="rich-text">Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that "Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon."</p> <p data-testid="rich-text">"Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, which is an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and essential for the defense of the Galilee communities and Israeli Defense Forces," he said.</p> <p>Israeli troops have captured the 900-year-old <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-seizes-strategic-castle-it-expands-invasion-south-lebanon">Beaufort Castle</a> and the strategic ridge surrounding it in southern Lebanon on 31 May.&nbsp;</p> <p>The capture of the medieval castle and ridge deepened Israeli footprint in the country beyond the demarcation zone known as the "Yellow Line", which it established in April following the ceasefire.</p> </div> </div> </article>