Katz Says Israel Will Keep Security Zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza Indefinitely

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an unlimited period, despite strong international pressure. He said the Israeli position has already been conveyed directly to the United States, including President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are leading a policy that keeps the IDF in those areas to protect Israel’s border and nearby communities from jihadist groups. He said the areas will be cleared of local residents and that all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, will be destroyed, including houses in border villages that were used as terror outposts.

He also issued a direct warning to Iran, saying that if Tehran attacks Israel over events in Lebanon, Israel will respond with full force. “We are committed only to our citizens and the security of the State of Israel,” Katz said. “We will not compromise on Israel’s supreme security interest and the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones.”

At the end of his remarks, Katz challenged opposition leaders to state publicly whether they support withdrawing the IDF from these areas so voters can judge their positions.