Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that the Israeli army will continue to stay in the "security zones" in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza "until further orders". Katz also warned Iran that it would face "very severe" attacks if it responds to Israel's operations in Lebanon.
In his statement, Katz said they would not withdraw from these zones "to protect our people and towns from jihadist elements," using the phrase "We will not withdraw from security zones." He also reiterated his threat to Iran, saying, "If Iran reacts to the Israeli army's ongoing struggle in Lebanon, it will be hit extremely hard."
These remarks came shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they would remain in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah continues to pose a threat to residents in northern Israel, and after Israeli officials stated that the army's withdrawal from Lebanon is contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament.
Course of the war in Lebanon
Israel's wars in the Middle East spread to Lebanon when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2 in retaliation for the killing of Iran's former religious leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28. Israel responded with large-scale airstrikes and a ground operation in southern Lebanon. According to officials, 4,300 people have been killed in the clashes; on the Israeli side, 38 soldiers and civilian employees died.
Washington agreement and delay
On June 26, Beirut and Tel Aviv signed an agreement in Washington, mediated by the US and led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The agreement stipulated a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, starting with two pilot zones. However, according to the Israel Broadcasting Authority reported on Tuesday, Tel Aviv postponed the pilot phase of withdrawal from southern Lebanon and demanded that the Lebanese army immediately take action against Hezbollah under the framework agreement.
Situation in Syria and Gaza
In Syria, Israel expanded its presence in the south to Mount Hermon and beyond the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in 2024. In Gaza, Israel, which controls about 70 percent of the territory, continues its attacks despite the ceasefire agreement.
