Israeli troops will remain in the so-called. security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said today, quoted by the Associated Press, BTA reported.
"Unlike before, the Israeli military will not leave the areas that have been cleared and taken under control", Katz said, adding that the army "will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and Israeli communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Syria".
In recent weeks, Israeli forces have seized large areas in Gaza as part of a renewed campaign to pressure Hamas to release hostages after Israel violated a ceasefire last month.
Israel has also refused to withdraw its troops from some areas in Lebanon following a ceasefire with Hezbollah last year established a buffer zone in southern Syria after the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Israel has said it must retain control of the territories to prevent a possible repeat of the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, in which thousands of fighters stormed southern Israel from Gaza.