Israel said Thursday it had set no timetable for withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, as Israeli and Lebanese officials held U.S.-mediated talks in Washington aimed at easing regional tensions.
The Israeli military has launched widespread airstrikes in Lebanon and invaded the country's south after Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the Middle East war 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," Defense 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."
