Lagatar24 Desk
Tel Aviv: Israel has expressed strong opposition to the US-Iran deal, with Defence Minister Israel Katz declaring on Monday that Israel will not withdraw from territory it has occupied in Lebanon, asserting that the agreement brokered by the US is not binding on Israel.
Israel Has Seized 1,000 Square Km Across Three Countries
Israel is alleged to have taken control of a total of 1,000 square kilometres of territory across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria over the past two and a half years. Israel stated that as long as the interim US-Iran agreement remains pending, it will not withdraw from the occupied territory in Lebanon.
‘We Are Not a Banana Republic’, Says Israel
Israel asserted that it is not a weak or subordinate nation and that Trump’s agreement does not bind it. Katz made clear that Israel intends to remain indefinitely in the territories it has occupied in Lebanon, as well as in Syria and the Gaza Strip.
Israel Warns of Massive Retaliation Against Iran
A key sticking point is that Iran has reportedly tied its agreement to a condition that Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon must stop. Katz warned that if Iran attacks Israel over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel will respond with devastating force against Iran.
Israeli Minister Says Country Not Subordinate to US
Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir went further, stating that Israel is not under American authority and is an independent, sovereign nation, asserting that Trump’s agreement does not bind Israel in any way. Meanwhile, Pakistan stated that Israel and the US are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Friday to sign the agreement.
