Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in what he described as “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an indefinite period, with no timetable for withdrawal.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony for soldiers killed in the 2006 war with Lebanon, Katz said: “The Israeli army will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza until further notice to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements.”
He stressed that Israel “will not withdraw from the security zones”.
Katz also renewed his warning to Tehran, saying Iran would face strikes “with full force” if it attacked Israeli forces operating in Lebanon.
His remarks came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon as long as the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement continued to pose a threat to residents of northern Israel.
