"We Did Not Ask for Permission": Katz Responds to Trump and Sets a Red Line in Lebanon
Defense Minister Israel Katz: We did not ask any entity for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to stay in Lebanon. It is our right and duty to protect the residents…
Assessment
Defense Minister Katz is publicly asserting Israeli operational independence in Lebanon, directly countering any perception that Washington holds a veto over IDF movements. The statement frames continued presence as a self-evident defensive right tied to October 7 and subsequent Hezbollah attacks. This escalates a potential rift with the Trump administration, which has not publicly commented. Watch for whether the White House responds or whether this is a preemptive posture ahead of diplomatic talks.