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ConflictIsrael tells Pentagon chief will keep troops in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza 'security zones'
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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz informed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Israel is determined to maintain its military presence in 'security zones' it has established inside Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. The statement comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw forces from Syria and Lebanon, warning the deployment was fueling tensions. Katz emphasized that Israel has never asked the U.S. to act along its borders. Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights and conducted incursions into Syrian territory. In Lebanon, Israeli forces remain in a roughly 10-kilometer security zone, while U.S.-brokered talks in Rome aim for a phased withdrawal. In Gaza, Israel controls 60% of the territory and maintains a perimeter along the borders with Israel and Egypt.
Source report
His comments come days after U.S. President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull Israeli forces out of Syria and Lebanon
Published - July 16, 2026 10:29 pm IST | Jerusalem
AFP
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz told his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth early on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Israel is determined to keep its forces in "security zones" it has carved out inside Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, Mr. Katz's office said the two men spoke overnight and the minister:
- "Emphasised Israel's determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon in order to protect Israel's borders and the communities near the border from the threats posed by jihadist forces."
- Stated: "We have never asked the United States to act in our place along our borders."
His comments come days after U.S. President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull Israeli forces out of Syria and Lebanon, according to U.S. news outlet Axios.
Citing a U.S. official, Axios reported that Mr. Trump told Mr. Netanyahu the Israeli deployment was fuelling tensions in Syria.
"They don't want you there. You should redeploy," Mr. Trump told him, according to Axios.
Background
After the December 2024 overthrow of Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Israel sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarised zone in the country's south.
In Lebanon, Israeli forces remain deployed in what the military describes as a security zone extending roughly 10 kilometres (six miles) into Lebanese territory.
Lebanon and Israel, which have no formal relations, are engaged in talks to end hostilities after militant group Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the broader Middle East war by attacking Israel in March. The two countries concluded their fifth round of talks in Rome on Wednesday.
The U.S.-brokered negotiations are aimed at having Israeli forces steadily withdraw from Lebanon, starting with two "pilot zones" located outside the "security zone" that Israel has established in the south.
In Gaza, Israel's military controls 60% of the territory and is present on the entire outside perimeter along the borders with Israel and Egypt.
Published - July 16, 2026 10:29 pm IST
Source
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Israel tells Pentagon chief will keep troops in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza 'security zones'