Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday that Israeli troops will remain in “security zones” established in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, regardless of any ceasefire or peace agreements.
“Unlike in the past, the [Israeli military] is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized,” Katz said in a public statement. He added that Israeli forces would stay in these buffer areas “in any temporary or permanent situation,” echoing similar statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Israeli officials, the military has now converted approximately 30% of Gaza into what it terms an “operational security perimeter.”
Since resuming offensive operations on March 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched strikes on over 1,200 targets and advanced across large parts of northern and southern Gaza.
⭕️ IDF troops identified and dismantled a 1.2 kilometer-long underground terrorist route in northern Gaza
A weapons storage facility was located near the route, containing a stockpile of around 20 explosive devices and an anti-tank guided missile amongst other weapons.
In swift… pic.twitter.com/Sws8sd5dSa
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 13, 2025
The declaration comes as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas falter. Hamas has insisted it will not release the remaining hostages unless Israel commits to a full withdrawal from Gaza and agrees to a lasting ceasefire.
Katz also reaffirmed Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “No humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza,” he said, describing it as a pressure tactic against Hamas.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar added on X (formerly Twitter) that “only hellfire should be poured on the makers of terrorism until the last hostage returns.”
לרוצחים המתועבים בעזה לא מגיע שום סיוע הומניטרי לא בידי מנגנון אזרחי ולא צבאי. רק אש תופת על מחוללי הטרור עד שאחרון האחים והאחיות שלנו בשבי, יחזרו הביתה לשלום.
— Miki Zohar מיקי זוהר (@zoharm7) April 16, 2025
In southern Lebanon, Israeli drone strikes killed two people on Wednesday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of violating ceasefire terms by maintaining a presence in at least five locations along the border. Since the ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect in November, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 70.
Israel has also refused to withdraw from territory in southern Syria, where it established new military posts following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
The new Syrian government, led by the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been labeled a “terror group from Idlib” by Israel, which says it will not negotiate or withdraw from the area.
The ongoing operations have displaced an estimated 500,000 people within Gaza in recent weeks. According to the UN, 69% of the territory is under evacuation orders, with much of the population trapped in “no-go zones” near the Egyptian and Israeli borders.
