Israel vows to maintain military presence in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces will remain in parts of southern Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for as long as the government considers necessary, reaffirming Israel's intention to maintain its military presence in those areas. Speaking at a military graduation ceremony, Netanyahu said troops would stay in what he described as "security zones", while Katz reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon even if requested by the Trump administration.  Their remarks come despite the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which calls for the immediate and permanent end of military operations in Lebanon and affirms the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.