Israel Says It Will Maintain Military Presence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria

Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Israel Katz has informed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Israel is determined to maintain its military presence in what it calls “security zones” inside the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, and Syria. According to a statement from Katz’s office, the minister said the deployments are necessary to protect Israel’s borders and nearby communities from threats posed by armed groups.

During the conversation, Katz stressed that Israel would continue to secure its borders independently, saying, “We have never asked the United States to act in our place along our borders.” The statement said the two officials discussed Israel’s security posture and the importance of maintaining the military presence in the three territories.

Katz’s remarks came days after Axios reported that US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli troops from Syria and Lebanon. According to the report, Trump argued that Israel’s continued military presence, particularly in Syria, was contributing to heightened regional tensions.