Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Israel is asserting its intention to maintain long-term military control over territories seized in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria. This move signals a departure from previous positions, indicating a potential shift towards prolonged presence in these regions.
Israeli Military Presence in Occupied Territories
Continuing Operations in Gaza
Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the army would remain in occupied “security zones” as a buffer to separate Israel from hostile militants. This presence is intended “in any temporary or permanent reality” within these areas, according to a statement from his office.
Katz indicated a change in policy, stating that unlike past actions, the army will not evacuate these territories. This announcement particularly concerns the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military has been engaged in operations against Hamas for over a year, aiming to dismantle the organization.
The establishment of expanded buffer zones along the Gaza border is underway, with hundreds of thousands of residents urged to relocate and certain areas declared security zones, Katz added.
Additional Israeli-controlled “security zones” are situated between the southern and northern sectors of the Palestinian territory, and between Rafah and Khan Younis.
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Sustained Deployment in Lebanon
Ongoing Israeli Army Presence in Lebanon
In Lebanon, Israeli forces remain stationed at five strategic locations near the border.
Israel defends its continued presence by asserting that the Lebanese army has been slow to deploy and has not fulfilled its obligations. Concerns persist in Israel regarding potential attacks from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia.
While the Israel Defense Force (IDF) previously characterized its deployment as “temporary,” Katz has now affirmed Israel’s intention to “remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon at five observation posts.”
Conversely, the Lebanese government is advocating for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, consistent with a ceasefire agreement enacted in November following a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Troop Deployment in Syria
Israeli Military in Syria near Golan Heights
Following the change of leadership in Syria last year, Israel deployed troops into Syrian territory adjacent to the annexed Golan Heights, specifically within a UN-monitored buffer zone.
Israel has justified this action as necessary to counter weapons caches and supply routes utilized by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Initially, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described this Syrian deployment as a “temporary measure.”
Israeli Presence: A Key Point in Negotiations
The stated intent for a prolonged Israeli military presence in parts of the heavily affected Gaza Strip is not new information. It constitutes a central point of contention in indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas is maintaining its demand for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces as a prerequisite for releasing additional hostages captured in Israel and transported to Gaza in October 2023, an event that precipitated the current conflict.
The United Nations reports that approximately two-thirds of the Gaza Strip, already facing restrictions on humanitarian aid, is now under Israeli evacuation orders or designated as a restricted zone by the IDF.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern on X, stating this situation affects nearly 70% of Gaza. He added, “I am very concerned as aid continues to be blocked, with devastating consequences.”
Shrinking Living Space in Gaza
The UN Human Rights Office recently voiced criticism that Palestinians are being forced into increasingly smaller areas with limited or no access to essential resources like water, food, or shelter.
Concerns are mounting regarding the potential permanent displacement of over 2 million civilians from areas designated as buffer zones.
Israeli human rights activists have reported widespread destruction of homes, farmland, and infrastructure, rendering numerous areas uninhabitable.
A Wall Street Journal report indicated that Israel has taken control of approximately one-third of Gaza.
Hostage Families Skeptical of Israeli Strategy
The Israeli government appears confident in its firm stance, with Minister Katz asserting significant pressure on Hamas to accept a deal.
Reports also indicate that Egypt, for the first time, has conditioned a comprehensive agreement and war cessation on the disarmament of Hamas, although official confirmation from Cairo is pending.
Families of the abducted hostages have expressed skepticism regarding Israel’s strategy in Gaza.
The Hostage Families Forum described Katz’s plan as unrealistic, accusing Israel of prioritizing territorial gains over the well-being of the hostages.
These families reiterated their urgent call for a deal with Hamas to secure hostage release, even if it necessitates ending the conflict.
Recent Developments
Separately, reports from the Palestinian news agency WAFA on Wednesday indicated at least 10 fatalities in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residence in northern Gaza.
WAFA, citing medical sources, reported multiple injuries from the same attack.
The Israeli military has stated it is examining these reports.