The Times of Israel reported on the 12th that a State Dept official rebuked
Israeli minister defense KATZ after he said Israeli forces would remain in
security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza and had ordered preparations for a
long-term deployment. The official said the remarks contradict Israel’s prior
commitments and the agreed framework, warned a permanent presence in the south
Lebanon would be inconsistent with those commitments and harmful to long-term
peace and security, and reaffirmed US support for Lebanon’s territory
integrity and sovereignty.
