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  "path": "/partner/israel-security-zones-lebanon-syria-gaza",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-01T10:12:05.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nIsrael's defense minister, Israel Katz, said Wednesday that Israeli forces will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, with no set timeline for withdrawal.\n\nHe said the deployments aim to protect Israeli residents and communities from jihadist elements amid ongoing regional tensions.\n\n### Why is Israel keeping troops in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza?\n\nKatz said Israeli forces will stay in the security zones to protect Israeli residents and communities from jihadist elements, with no plans to withdraw. He made the remarks at an event honoring soldiers killed during the 2006 Lebanon war, adding that Israel would not leave the zones.\n\n\"The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely in order to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements,\" Katz said. \"We will not withdraw from the security zones,\" he added.\n\n### What did Katz say about Iran?\n\nKatz also repeated an earlier warning directed at Tehran. He said Iran would be struck with full force if it attacked Israel in response to Israeli operations in Lebanon.\n\nThe warning comes as Israel continues military activity across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, while managing tensions with Iran directly.\n\n### What is the new Lebanon-Israel agreement?\n\nIsrael and Lebanon signed a US-sponsored framework agreement Friday intended to pave the way for peace between the two countries. The agreement also calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah across Lebanese territory.\n\nDespite the deal, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon. Israeli forces continue to clash there with Hezbollah fighters, and officials maintain that any withdrawal will happen only after Hezbollah is fully disarmed nationwide.\n\n### How did the war in Lebanon start?\n\nHezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider Middle East war in early March, firing rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with large-scale airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.\n\nLebanon's health ministry says nearly 4,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the war began. The Israeli military says it has lost 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor in Lebanon since the fighting started in early March.\n\n### What is happening in Syria and Gaza?\n\nIsrael has also carried out repeated incursions and bombings in Syria since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. Israeli officials say the goal is to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's south.\n\nIn Gaza, Israeli forces currently occupy nearly 70% of the territory. Both Hamas and the Israeli military accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, which has been in effect since October of last year.",
  "title": "Israel defense minister says troops will stay indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza"
}