Israel Vows to Maintain Security Zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

JERUSALEM (Terror Monitor) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has reaffirmed that Israel is determined to maintain its military presence in the "security zones" established inside Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement issued by Israel's Ministry of Defense on Thursday, Katz emphasized Israel's commitment during a late-night phone call on Wednesday with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The statement said Katz stressed Israel's determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon, arguing that the military presence is necessary to protect Israel's borders and communities near the frontier from threats posed by militant groups.

"We have never asked the United States to act on our borders in our place," Katz said.

The remarks come amid reports that U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli forces from parts of Syria and Lebanon.

According to Axios, citing a U.S. official, Trump told Netanyahu that Israel's military deployment in Syria was contributing to regional tensions, reportedly saying, "They (the Syrian government) don't want you there."

Following the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, Israel deployed forces into the UN-monitored buffer zone and has since carried out multiple military operations and airstrikes inside Syria. Israel says it seeks to establish a demilitarized area in southern Syria.

Israeli forces also remain deployed inside Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, troops are positioned within a security zone extending roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. Although Lebanon and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, negotiations aimed at maintaining the ceasefire and reducing tensions are ongoing.

The current security situation followed attacks launched by the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah against Israel in March, drawing Lebanon deeper into the broader Middle East conflict.

Israeli and Lebanese negotiators concluded a fifth round of talks in Rome on Wednesday. The U.S.-mediated negotiations are focused on a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon. As an initial confidence-building measure, Israel is expected to withdraw from two locations situated outside the security zone established in southern Lebanon.

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces currently control approximately 60 percent of the territory. Israel also maintains full control over Gaza's border with Egypt.