Katz says Israelis to stay on 5 hills despite any border talks
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that Israeli forces will stay on the five occupied hills in south Lebanon indefinitely, regardless of any negotiations on disputed border points.
In an assessment of the situation Thursday with army chief Eyal Zamir and senior army generals, Katz clarified that the military will remain at the five points indefinitely, for “the benefit of protecting the residents of the north” and “without any connection to future negotiations on points of dispute on the border.”
He instructed the army to “strengthen and consolidate” the Israeli hold on the outposts and to prepare for an “extended stay” there.
“In addition, the IDF (Israeli army) is to continue with powerful and uncompromising enforcement against any Hezbollah violation or attempt to establish itself,” Katz added.
A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that representatives of the Israeli and Lebanese armies, the U.S. and France agreed during a meeting of the ceasefire committee in Naqoura to "establish three joint working groups aimed at stabilizing the region."
"These groups will focus on the five points controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, discussions on the Blue Line and remaining disputed areas, and the issue of Lebanese detainees held by Israel," the statement added.
Source: Naharnet
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