Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said "we must remain in the security zone in Lebanon, in Syria and in Gaza, and not for a limited time, in order to defend our residents and communities from there against jihadist elements."
An Israeli soldier looks through the sight of his rifle at his position near the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, on May 31, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen)
25 Jun 2026 10:55PM
(Updated: 26 Jun 2026 03:48AM)
JERUSALUM: Israel said Thursday (Jun 25) that it had set no timetable for withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, as Israeli and Lebanese officials engaged in US-brokered talks in Washington.The Israeli military has launched widespread airstrikes in Lebanon and sent troops into the country's south after Hezbollah, the powerful militia backed by Iran, entered the Middle East war on the side of its patron in March."We must remain in the security zone in Lebanon, in Syria and in Gaza, and not for a limited time, in order to defend our residents and communities from there against jihadist elements," Defence Minister Israel Katz said at a graduation ceremony at a military academy."We oppose the withdrawal of IDF forces from the security zone in Lebanon, despite all the pressures that exist and those still to come."Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the same function that troops would remain in south Lebanon "as long as necessary"."I have made it clear to the IDF: you have full freedom of action."Earlier on Thursday, government spokesman David Mencer told journalists that "we will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat, are not disarmed and are not demilitarised".A new ceasefire was declared in Lebanon after Israeli strikes there threatened to derail talks between the United States and Iran to end the wider Middle East war.While the fighting has diminished significantly in recent days, sporadic attacks have continued.
