TEL AVIV (AP) — Israel’s defense minister said Monday that Israeli forces will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely, hours after the United States and Iran announced a deal to end the Middle East war, including fighting in Lebanon.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military are pursuing a policy under which the Israel Defense Forces will hold security zones “for an unlimited period of time” to protect border communities from jihadist groups. His statement made no reference to the US Iran agreement.
Katz said the areas would be cleared of residents and that all “terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground including houses in frontline villages that served as terrorist outposts will be destroyed.” He described holding territory as one of the IDF’s “greatest achievements” and rejected calls for withdrawal from Lebanon despite international pressure.
The minister added that Netanyahu had informed US President Donald Trump of Israel’s position. Katz also warned Iran against retaliating for Israel’s campaign in Lebanon, saying any attack would be met with “full force” and would demonstrate Israel’s military superiority.
The comments highlight Israel’s determination to maintain a military presence in neighboring territories even as Washington and Tehran move to end hostilities. The US Iran deal, announced Sunday, includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting fighting across the region, but Israel’s stance suggests continued instability along its borders.
Israel’s refusal to withdraw underscores the complexity of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. While the US Iran accord has eased global concerns over energy supplies and inflation, the persistence of Israeli operations in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza raises questions about whether the broader conflict can truly be resolved. Analysts say the divergence between Israel’s policy and the US Iran agreement could complicate efforts to stabilize the region and may draw further scrutiny from international partners pressing for de‑escalation.
