Israel says troops will stay in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria indefinitely
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Jerusalem: Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated on Wednesday that Israeli troops will remain in security zones across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria indefinitely. In a statement, Katz explained that the Israeli military would not evacuate areas that had been cleared and seized, as has occurred in the past. He emphasized that Israeli forces will stay in these zones as a buffer between hostile forces and Israeli communities, whether the situation is temporary or permanent.
In recent weeks, Israel has expanded its control over significant areas of Gaza in an intensified campaign aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages, following the cessation of a ceasefire last month. Additionally, Israel has refused to pull out from certain areas in Lebanon after a ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah militant group last year. The Israeli military also took control of a buffer zone in southern Syria after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Israel justifies its continued presence in these territories, stating that maintaining control is necessary to prevent a repeat of the devastating October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, when thousands of militants infiltrated southern Israel from Gaza.
With PTI inputs