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Key facts
- Israel intends to maintain an indefinite military presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz made these statements.
- The declarations were made despite a US-Iran memorandum of understanding for an immediate end to military operations.
- Israel bombed Beirut's southern suburbs shortly before the US-Iran deal was finalized.
- US President Donald Trump criticized the Israeli strikes.
- Israel controls approximately 1,000 square kilometers in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
Israel has signaled its intention to maintain an indefinite military presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, despite a recently announced memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities in the West Asia region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces would remain in designated "security zones" for as long as deemed necessary to protect Israeli communities.
These remarks follow the announcement of a US-Iran agreement that reportedly calls for the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Lebanon was included in the agreement. However, Israel's continued actions, including strikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh district shortly before the deal's finalization, nearly jeopardized the negotiations. US President Donald Trump criticized these strikes, noting they occurred on a day close to a peace deal with Iran.
Katz further warned Iran against retaliating for Israeli actions in Lebanon, threatening a forceful response. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) source indicated that attacks inside Lebanon would cease if Hezbollah adheres to a ceasefire. Israel currently controls approximately 1,000 square kilometers of territory across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The US-Iran deal also includes a 60-day timeframe to address Iran's nuclear program.