Israel to keep troops in southern Lebanon indefinitely, Katz says
Synopsis
Even as the US and Iran finalised a landmark peace deal expected to end Israel-Hezbollah hostilities, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on 15 June that Israel will keep troops in southern Lebanon indefinitely — and extended that policy to Syria and Gaza. It is a direct signal that Tel Aviv intends to hold its security zones regardless of diplomatic settlements reached without its direct participation.
Key Takeaways
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on 15 June that Israel will maintain an indefinite military presence in its southern Lebanon security zone.
The policy also covers Israeli-controlled zones in Syria and the Gaza Strip , aimed at protecting border communities and dismantling militant infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed Israel's position to senior US officials, including President Donald Trump .
Katz warned Iran that any attack on Israel over Lebanon would draw a forceful Israeli response.
Israel's Home Front Command lifted a cap on public gatherings of 5,000 people after Iran was reportedly persuaded by the US to stand down from a missile strike.
President Trump announced a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade, calling it a 'major breakthrough.'
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday, 15 June declared that Israel will maintain an indefinite military presence in the security zone it occupies in southern Lebanon and has no intention of withdrawing, regardless of current or future international pressure. The announcement came even as a landmark US-Iran peace agreement — widely expected to also wind down hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah — neared its formal signing.
The Policy and Its Scope
Katz stated that the policy of holding security zones applies not only to southern Lebanon but also to Israeli-controlled areas in Syria and the Gaza Strip. The stated objective is to protect Israeli border communities and prevent future strikes on Israeli territory.
According to Katz, areas under Israeli control will be kept cleared of residents and what he described as 'terrorist' infrastructure, including buildings allegedly used by militant groups. The minister confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has communicated Israel's position directly to senior US officials, including President Donald Trump.
Warning to Iran
Katz also issued a direct warning to Iran, cautioning that any attack on Israel over developments in Lebanon would be met with a forceful Israeli response. The warning followed Iran's earlier threats to launch missile strikes in retaliation for an Israeli military operation targeting Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
According to Israeli media reports, Iran was subsequently persuaded by the United States to hold back from launching missiles at Israel, in the context of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
Home Front Restrictions Lifted
In a parallel development, the Israeli military's Home Front Command lifted a restriction that had capped public gatherings at a maximum of 5,000 people across all regions of the country. The restriction had been imposed on Sunday evening following Iran's threats of a missile response to the Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs.
The US-Iran Deal and Regional Implications
Earlier on Monday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran had finalised a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade. Trump described it as a major breakthrough following months of conflict that had rattled global energy markets and raised fears of a broader regional war.
'The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!' Trump said in a post on social media.
Notably, Israel's declaration of an indefinite military presence in southern Lebanon signals that even a US-brokered diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran may not translate into an Israeli withdrawal from contested border zones. How the US, Iran, and Hezbollah respond to Israel's stated position will likely shape the next phase of the regional security calculus.
Point of View
And by looping in Netanyahu's direct communication with Trump, Israel is signalling that it will not be bound by agreements it did not sign. This creates a structural tension: Washington has brokered a deal with Tehran partly premised on de-escalation in Lebanon, yet its closest regional ally has just announced the opposite. The gap between American diplomatic ambition and Israeli operational reality is wider than the celebratory language around the US-Iran deal suggests.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz say about southern Lebanon?
Katz declared on 15 June that Israel will maintain an indefinite military presence in the security zone it holds in southern Lebanon and will not withdraw despite international pressure. He said the policy also extends to Israeli-controlled areas in Syria and the Gaza Strip.
How does the US-Iran deal affect Israel's position in Lebanon?
Despite the US-Iran peace agreement — which is expected to also wind down fighting between Israel and Hezbollah — Israel has stated it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon. Israel's stance suggests it does not consider itself bound by agreements reached between Washington and Tehran.
Why did Israel impose and then lift the 5,000-person gathering restriction?
The restriction was imposed on Sunday evening after Iran threatened missile strikes in retaliation for an Israeli attack on Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut. It was lifted after Israeli media reported that Iran had been persuaded by the United States to refrain from launching missiles.
What did President Trump announce about the US-Iran deal?
President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran had completed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade. He posted on social media: 'The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!'
What warning did Katz issue to Iran?
Katz warned Iran that any attack on Israel connected to developments in Lebanon would be met with a forceful Israeli military response. The warning came after Iran had earlier threatened missile strikes following Israel's operation against Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs.
