Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has announced that Israeli troops will maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, marking a significant shift in the country’s security strategy.
Katz made this disclosure in a statement released on Wednesday, as Israel’s military continued to tighten control over several territories.
“Unlike in the past, the [Israeli military] is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized,” the statement read. “The army will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and Israeli communities, whether in a temporary or permanent arrangement — in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and Syria.”
According to the Israeli military, about 30 per cent of Gaza has now been converted into what it described as a “security buffer zone.” Since resuming its offensive on March 18, the army claims to have struck approximately 1,200 “terror targets.”
The Israeli government has reiterated its objective to dismantle Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza, and secure the release of 59 captives held by armed factions in the enclave. Israel believes at least 24 of those captives remain alive.
Hamas, however, Israel has insisted it will not release the hostages without a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire agreement.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
