Israel's Defense Minister confirmed that the military will continue to be stationed in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip until further notice, citing the protection of Israeli communities as the reason for this.
On Wednesday, 1 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israeli military will remain deployed in the so-called "security zones" established in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip "until further notice."
"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza until further notice, to protect the residents and communities of Israel from jihadist terrorists," Katz said at a ceremony honoring Israeli soldiers who died during the 2006 Lebanon War.
"We will not withdraw forces from these security zones."
Additionally, Katz reiterated a prior warning to Iran that Israel would respond with full military force if Tehran attacks Israel due to Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Israel and Lebanon recently signed a U.S.-backed framework agreement last Friday to pave the way for peace between the two countries and the disarmament of Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran.
However, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have consistently denied any plans to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, insisting that any withdrawal will only occur after Hezbollah throughout Lebanon is fully disarmed.
Beyond Lebanon, Israel has continuously conducted incursions and airstrikes in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian government, stating the objective is to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.
Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, which has been in a state of war with Israel for nearly three years, Israeli forces have taken control of about 70% of the territory. Both Hamas in Gaza and Israel accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreement that has been in place since October last year.
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Source:cna