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By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
Israel has told the United States that it intends to maintain military forces inside security zones established in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip, arguing that the deployments are necessary to protect Israeli border communities from armed groups operating nearby.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz delivered the message during an overnight telephone conversation with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a statement issued by Katz’s office on Thursday.
Netanyahu:
There are no longer terrorist armies on our borders.
We have created security zones around Gaza and inside Gaza, around Lebanon and inside Lebanon, and around the Golan and inside Syria. pic.twitter.com/4Qe3Er1F6C
— Global Eye News (@globaleeyenews) July 15, 2026
Israel cites continuing security threats
Katz said Israel remained determined to preserve its military presence in the three territories because of what he described as persistent threats from jihadist organisations.
The Israeli minister argued that forces positioned beyond Israel’s recognised borders provide an additional defensive buffer for towns and communities exposed to attacks, infiltrations, rockets and drones.
The statement did not specify how long Israeli troops would remain in each area or whether Washington had endorsed the policy.
A regional military footprint
Israel has expanded or maintained military positions across several fronts during the wider regional conflict.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces have remained in selected locations despite ceasefire arrangements and international calls for a full withdrawal. Israel says the positions are necessary to prevent Hezbollah and other armed groups from rebuilding infrastructure close to the border.
In Syria, Israeli troops have operated in areas near the occupied Golan Heights and inside buffer zones established following the collapse of earlier security arrangements. Israeli officials have repeatedly said they will not allow hostile forces to establish positions near the frontier.
In Gaza, Israel has retained control over designated military corridors and security areas, saying they are needed to prevent renewed attacks and restrict the movement of armed groups.
Pressure on ceasefire and diplomatic efforts
The policy is likely to remain a major obstacle in negotiations concerning permanent ceasefires and postwar security arrangements.
Lebanon, Syria and Palestinian representatives have rejected the presence of Israeli troops on their territory, describing the deployments as occupation rather than temporary defensive measures.
International mediators have attempted to develop frameworks that would combine Israeli security guarantees with phased withdrawals, monitoring mechanisms, and the deployment of local or international forces.
Israel, however, has argued that past agreements failed to prevent armed groups from reorganising near its borders.
Washington faces difficult balancing act
The conversation between Katz and Hegseth highlights the importance of American support to Israel’s regional strategy.
The United States remains Israel’s principal military partner, but Washington has also sought to prevent local conflicts from expanding into a broader regional war.
Any long term Israeli presence inside Lebanon, Syria or Gaza could create renewed friction with Arab governments, complicate reconstruction efforts, and increase the risk of attacks against Israeli troops.
The Pentagon had not publicly released a detailed account of the conversation at the time of reporting.
No timetable for withdrawal
Katz’s statement made clear that Israel does not currently view withdrawal from the security zones as an immediate objective.
Instead, the government appears to be linking any future redeployment to changes in the military environment and the ability of local authorities or international forces to prevent armed groups from operating near Israel’s borders.
The position suggests that Israeli troops could remain deployed across the three fronts for an extended period, even if broader ceasefire agreements remain formally in place.
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