Katz to America: Israel Will Remain in the 'Security Areas' in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon

SadaNews - Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, reiterated his statements that Israel intends to keep its forces in what he described as "security areas" in Syria, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon, claiming that this is to protect the borders and nearby Israeli settlements.

This came during a phone conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, discussing U.S. military operations in Iran and coordination between Tel Aviv and Washington, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Security today, Thursday.

According to the statement, the U.S. Defense Secretary informed the Israeli Defense Minister about the operations being carried out by the U.S. military in Iran, and both sides agreed to continue cooperation between the two countries in facing potential developments.

The statement added that Katz briefed Hegseth on Israeli operations in the region against what he described as "jihadist terrorism elements" in Syria, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon.

Katz emphasized, according to the statement, that Israel "is determined to remain in the security areas in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, to protect the borders and the nearby Israeli towns against the threats from jihadist forces."

He claimed that this approach represents the "key lesson" that Israel has drawn from the attack on October 7, 2023, referring to the continued Israeli occupation of areas within Syrian and Lebanese territories and the Gaza Strip under the pretext of establishing security belts.

Katz said: "We have never asked the United States to act instead of us along our borders," adding: "We are committed to protecting the people of Israel against any threat, and this is what we intend to do."