Netanyahu adamant on ‘indefinite’ troop presence in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza
Israeli leadership reaffirms long-term military control across regional frontlines amid continued cross-border violence following US-Iran deal announcement
TEL AVIV / BEIRUT (MNTV) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will remain deployed in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria “for as long as necessary,” reinforcing an open-ended military posture across multiple regional theaters despite growing international calls for de-escalation.
Speaking in a televised briefing, Netanyahu said Israel had established what he described as “security zones” around its borders and insisted that troops would continue operating inside these areas indefinitely to protect Israeli territory and settlements.
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the stance, stating that Israeli forces would maintain their positions in so-called buffer zones across Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an unlimited period. He framed the policy as a defensive necessity aimed at countering what Israeli officials label “jihadist threats.”
The declarations came shortly after reports of a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending broader regional hostilities, raising questions over whether Israel intends to align with de-escalation efforts or pursue an independent military strategy.
In a further escalation on the same day, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed at least one civilian when a vehicle was hit near Kfar Tibnit, close to Nabatieh, according to Lebanese state media.
The attack marked the first reported fatal strike in Lebanon following the announcement of the US-Iran understanding, which included provisions intended to reduce violence across multiple fronts.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement said it responded by confronting Israeli forces attempting to advance near the same area, claiming to have repelled units using rockets and drones against Israeli armored vehicles and engineering equipment.
Despite the reported de-escalation framework, Israeli operations on the ground continued, intensifying concerns in Beirut over sovereignty violations and the risk of renewed full-scale confrontation along the southern border.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, expressed cautious hope that the new regional agreement could open pathways toward reduced tensions and diplomatic engagement, while emphasizing respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
However, the latest Israeli military activity has cast doubt on the durability of any ceasefire arrangements, with observers noting a continued pattern of unilateral Israeli strikes and extended troop deployments across neighboring states.
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