Katz says Israel will not withdraw from territory seized in Lebanon

JERUSALEM - Israel will not withdraw from territory it seized in Lebanon and if Iran attacks Israel due to events in Lebanon, Israel will retaliate, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Monday.

Katz’s statement came one day after President Donald Trump criticised an Israeli strike on Lebanon that could complicate attempts to finalise a framework deal between the United States and Iran on Sunday on ending their war, but said an agreement was nonetheless close.

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Israel's attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which Israel said targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, showed the United States lacks the will or ability to fulfil its commitments.

Iran's foreign ministry said it holds the United States responsible for Israel's attack in Lebanon. Iran warned of a "strong response." Its top joint military command said the "finger (is) on the trigger" ready to fire at the "enemy's heart".

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said: "This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran."