Israel vows to keep troops in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel "will under no circumstances" withdraw troops from security zones in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, nearly two months after agreeing to a ceasefire that called for Israeli forces to leave southern Lebanon.

The statement marks a shift from Israel's previous commitments under the Lebanon deal, which included a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. Katz's position signals Israel intends to maintain a military presence across three neighboring countries despite international calls for troop pullbacks.