Israel to maintain troops in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones: Defense Minister

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has firmly stated that Israeli troops will not withdraw from the security zones they occupy in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. During a visit to southern Lebanon, Katz reiterated Israel's commitment to maintaining its military presence in these areas.

"As the prime minister and I have clearly stated, we are not withdrawing from this security zone," Katz declared, referring to the territory Israel occupies. He emphasized the army's role: "The army is here to protect the northern localities" of Israel "and its own forces. We will cleanse this area." He explicitly stated, "We will not withdraw under any circumstances from the security zones: neither in Lebanon, nor in Syria, nor in Gaza."

Israeli forces are currently deployed along a roughly 10-kilometer stretch inside Lebanon, where the minister claimed the army is destroying underground infrastructure and "all the houses." Israel and Lebanon remain technically in a state of war, despite a framework agreement signed in late June. This agreement outlines the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south, contingent on Israel's withdrawal from designated "pilot zones" and the disarmament of Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian militant group.

“

The army is here to protect the northern localities of Israel and its own forces. We will cleanse this area.

Hezbollah has rejected this agreement and refuses to lay down its arms. Although a ceasefire has been in place since June, Israel continues to conduct targeted strikes in Lebanon. The United States is reportedly organizing a new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in early September in Rome, aiming to de-escalate hostilities. Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider Middle East conflict in March by firing rockets at Israel in support of Iran, prompting significant Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion in southern Lebanon that Beirut claims has resulted in over 4,300 deaths.

In Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire has been in effect since October 2025, Israeli forces occupy over 60% of the densely populated territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently rejected a U.S. roadmap that included Hamas's disarmament and eventual Israeli withdrawal, stating that Israeli troops would not leave "as long as Hamas is not truly disarmed."

“

We will not withdraw under any circumstances from the security zones: neither in Lebanon, nor in Syria, nor in Gaza.