🚨 Defense Minister Katz: IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he are leading a clear policy according to which the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza “without time limitation,” in order to protect Israel’s border areas and communities from jihadist elements.
He said the areas will be cleared of local residents and all terror infrastructure, both above and below ground, including houses in border villages that were used as terrorist outposts, which will be destroyed. Katz described this as a key lesson from the October 7 attacks.
He added that establishing and maintaining these security zones is one of the major achievements of the IDF in the current war, carried out under political direction, and said Israel opposes any withdrawal from southern Lebanon despite international pressure.
According to Katz, Prime Minister Netanyahu has conveyed this position to U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior American officials, and he himself presented it to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said the IDF also supports this position from a professional security standpoint.
He challenged opposition figures who support withdrawal to publicly state their positions so the public can judge between approaches, stressing that Israel will not compromise on its security interests or withdraw from security zones.
Katz also warned that if Iran attacks Israel in connection with events in Lebanon, Israel will respond with full force, emphasizing that the government is committed solely to the safety of Israeli citizens and national security.
