Israel Signals No Withdrawal From Security Zones in Lebanon as Questions Grow Over the Ground Operation

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pursuing a clear policy under which the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely to protect Israel’s border and communities. Katz said the areas will be cleared of local residents and all terror infrastructure, above and below ground, including houses in border villages used as terrorist outposts. He added, “This is the main lesson from October 7,” and said Israel opposes an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon despite outside pressure.

Katz said Netanyahu conveyed this position to US President Donald Trump and other senior American officials, and that he raised it the day before with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He also said the military supports the stance professionally and warned that if Iran attacks Israel over developments in Lebanon, Israel will hit Iran “with full force.” He challenged opposition figures to state publicly whether they back withdrawal so the public can judge.

The article says the situation on the ground in southern Lebanon remains unclear, while the IDF continues operating deep inside the area. Since the ground maneuver began in late February, 30 soldiers have been killed in various incidents. Current operations include holding positions from the border to the so-called yellow line, preventing threats near Israeli communities, and carrying out demolitions, weapons seizures and searches. The IDF said a fighter was recently stopped near the border thanks to troops from the 769th Regional Brigade.

The IDF’s 36th Division has crossed the Litani River and is nearing completion of a campaign to clear Hezbollah underground tunnels. Israeli forces are also holding the Ali Taher ridge and, according to the army, continue to raid and clear the area while under fire. A day earlier, the IDF issued evacuation warnings for dozens of villages near Nabatieh, which it described as a major Hezbollah center in southern Lebanon.

The article says unresolved strategic questions remain, including whether Israel intends to hold every current position, whether troops may continue offensive raids, whether civilians in southern Lebanon will be allowed to return, and whether they could bring heavy equipment to rebuild destroyed infrastructure. It also asks whether the IDF will establish permanent posts beyond the five already in place or rely on short raids of 36 to 48 hours. Until those issues are clarified, the piece warns, both troops and northern Israeli residents remain at risk.