⚠️ ISRAEL DECLARES IDF WILL REMAIN IN SECURITY ZONES IN LEBANON, SYRIA, AND GAZA WITHOUT TIME LIMIT
⚠️ Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon despite reports that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire arrangement also includes ending the fighting against Hezbollah.
Katz said Prime Minister Netanyahu and he are leading “a clear policy” under which the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza “without a time limit” to protect Israel’s borders and communities from jihadist threats.
He said the areas would be cleared of local residents, and that all terror infrastructure above and below ground would be destroyed, including homes in contact-line villages used as terror outposts.
Katz described the establishment of security zones as one of the IDF’s greatest achievements since October 7 and said Israel opposes any withdrawal from Lebanon despite “all existing and future pressures.”
He said Prime Minister Netanyahu conveyed this position to President Trump and senior American officials, and that he personally delivered the same message yesterday to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Katz added that the IDF supports maintaining the security zones on professional and security grounds.
Direct quotes from Defense Minister Katz:
“If Iran attacks Israel because of the events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force.”
“We will not compromise on Israel’s supreme security interest and the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones.”
“We are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel.”
Katz also criticized opposition figures supporting withdrawal and said they should “stand up and say so, so that the public can judge between the positions.”
🔹 Opposition leaders sharply criticized the reported agreement and the government’s handling of it.
Benny Gantz said:
“Under no circumstances should consent be given to restricting Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon or to withdrawing the residents of the north.”
“The agreement signed with Iran appears to be a strategic failure that would force Israel to abandon a political, military, and legal struggle that over the coming years could lead only to a broader regional war.”
Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, said:
“This morning, Israeli citizens are waking up to an agreement between the US and Iran made over Israel's head. Netanyahu is good for Hamas. Netanyahu is good for Iran. Netanyahu is good for Hezbollah. Netanyahu is not good for Israel. Replacing him is not just a political necessity — it is an existential security imperative.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote:
“The agreement with Iran is bad for Israel and for the entire free world. Period.”
Smotrich said Israel would need to continue efforts to ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons and stressed that Lebanon would become the key test of Israel’s resolve and freedom of action against Hezbollah.
One opposition reaction stated:
“A chasm lies between the empty promises of absolute victory and this morning.”
🔸 Lebanese officials welcomed reports that Lebanon was included in the understandings between Washington and Tehran.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said:
"We thank Iran and the US for insisting on including in their memorandum of understanding the cessation of Israeli aggression against all of Lebanon".
🇮🇱 The IDF Home Front Command has lifted the nationwide gathering restrictions imposed yesterday over concerns of possible Iranian missile attacks.
The updated guidelines took effect Monday, June 15, at 10:00 AM and remain in effect until Tuesday, June 16, at 8:00 PM.
The gathering limit of up to 5,000 people has been lifted across all areas of the country.
Communities adjacent to the northern border remain under existing restrictions, including limits of 100 people outdoors and 400 indoors.
The public was instructed to continue following official Home Front Command and IDF guidance.
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