Israeli Defence Minister Reveals Trump Linked Lebanon and Iran Wars in Negotiations

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has revealed that US President Donald Trump insisted on linking the war in Lebanon and Iran during ceasefire negotiations, even though Israel itself wanted to handle the two conflicts separately. In a briefing with journalists on Monday local time, Katz expressed regret over the merging of the two issues. However, he understood there was a strategic agenda from Washington behind it. “It is very unfortunate that the two conflicts were linked, but it served American interests. The United States is very keen to advance the possibility of negotiations with Iran, and they view the situation in Lebanon as an obstacle,” Katz said. Katz stressed that Israel actually “has no territorial ambitions” in Lebanon. Nevertheless, he claimed to have received support from the US to keep its troops stationed there until Hezbollah is completely disarmed throughout the country. The linkage of the Lebanon issue has begun to complicate preliminary talks between the US and Iran. Tehran is demanding the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon before signing a final agreement with Washington. Conversely, Israel has firmly stated it will not retreat from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, is fully disarmed. According to an Israeli official, Katz detailed that the Israeli military has destroyed 100 percent of the villages directly bordering the western section of the Israel-Lebanon border, as well as around 73 percent of villages in the remaining area. As a result of this total destruction, approximately 200,000 displaced residents from southern Lebanon will certainly not be allowed to return to their homes. Furthermore, Katz reiterated his country’s hardline policy towards escalation in Beirut. Israel is prepared to launch strikes on the Dahiyeh neighbourhood in Beirut if Hezbollah dares to attack northern Israel. He also stated that Israel is ready to continue the war with Iran, whether the Trump-led negotiations are declared a failure or if Iran launches a pre-emptive attack on Israel.