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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to a statement by US President Donald Trump, in which the latter said he believes Israel will withdraw from Lebanon under the agreements.

Katz wrote on platform X on Thursday, saying: 'We did not ask permission from any party to enter Lebanon, nor do we need permission to remain there.'

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday that Katz said: 'It is our right and duty to protect the residents of the Galilee and Israeli citizens from the threats of Hezbollah, the "terrorist" organization that seeks to destroy the State of Israel.'

He added: 'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have also clarified: We will continue to stay in the security zone in Lebanon, and we will operate from within it as needed, until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the residents of the north is removed.'

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Trump's Statement

On Wednesday, Trump said he believes Israel will withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon because it wants to take this step, despite Netanyahu's statements indicating otherwise.

The US president added to reporters during the NATO summit in Ankara that he discussed the withdrawal with Netanyahu.

Trump said: 'Yes, I think they will do that, and I think they want to. Then we have an agreement with Israel and Lebanon. Yes, they will withdraw. I think things will go well.'

No withdrawal as long as Hezbollah poses a threat

Netanyahu visited Lebanese territories occupied by Israeli forces last week and told soldiers that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon as long as the Iran-backed Hezbollah poses a threat.

The Israeli and Lebanese governments reached a US-brokered security agreement on June 26, under which Israel handed over two areas to the Lebanese army.

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