Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israel will not withdraw from the security zones it has established in Lebanon and Syria, even if the United States asks it to do so. Speaking at the MUNI EXPO 2026 conference of the local government association, he said the IDF must remain on the enemy’s side of the line and protect Israeli communities from inside the territory itself.
Katz said Israel is now applying one uniform model across the northern fronts and expects it to continue. “The three security areas operate under the same model and are fixed in the current reality. As long as Hezbollah does not disarm, we will not leave the security zone,” he said. He added that no civilian population will be allowed to return to those areas. “200,000 residents will not return. No residents and no terrorists. In the past, security zones with civilian populations had explosives and attacks against soldiers, so we do not allow that. Soldiers inside, residents outside.”
He said territorial control is a central part of Israel’s security doctrine, arguing that what Hamas wants most in Gaza is for Israel to withdraw, and that “the same thing” applies in Lebanon. Katz said Israel has expanded its area of operation in southern Lebanon and created, in his words, “a very strong model.” He also said jihadist organizations do not surrender, and that killing leaders and damaging capabilities matter, but seizing territory is the most painful blow for them.
Responding to reports that the political leadership is limiting the army because of American pressure, Katz said he was not aware of such claims. He said coordination with the IDF is complete, that policy in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria is unified, and that troops have full freedom to defend themselves. He said Israel still sees Hezbollah disarmament as a condition for any future settlement with Lebanon, describing it as a combined military and diplomatic effort that strengthens Israel’s role in the Middle East.
