JERUSALEM: Israel’s defence minister said on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in so-called security zones established in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza “until further notice”.

“The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza until further notice, in order to protect Israel’s residents and communities from jihadist terrorists,” Israel Katz said, according to the defence ministry.

“We will not withdraw from the security zones,” Katz said at a function held in honour of Israeli soldiers killed during the 2006 war in Lebanon. Katz also reiterated an earlier warning to Iran, saying the Islamic republic would be struck with “full force” if it attacked Israel over its operations in Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon signed a US-sponsored framework agreement on Friday to pave the way for peace between the two countries and disarm Hezbollah.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters.

They maintain that any troop withdrawal would happen only after Hezbollah has been disarmed across Lebanon.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026