Israel to keep troops in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in what he described as “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an indefinite period, with no timetable for withdrawal.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in the 2006 war with Lebanon, Katz said: “The Israeli army will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza until further notice to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements.”

He stressed that Israel “will not withdraw from the security zones”.

Katz also renewed his warning to Tehran, saying Iran would face strikes “with full force” if it attacked Israeli forces operating in Lebanon.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly said the army will not withdraw from Lebanon until Hezbollah has been disarmed.

The conflict expanded to Lebanon on 2 March, when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in response to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the joint US-Israeli offensive on 28 February. Israel responded with extensive air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, killing 4,300 people, according to Lebanese authorities.

Separately, Israeli right-wing parties and political figures welcomed Netanyahu’s comments on Tuesday, in which he left open the possibility of re-establishing Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, calling for the remarks to be turned into practical steps on the ground.