Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, despite the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran that reportedly includes provisions aimed at halting fighting with Hezbollah.

In a statement, Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he were pursuing a “clear policy” under which the Israeli military would remain deployed in what he described as security zones in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip, with no timeline for withdrawal.

“The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, in order to protect the border and Israeli communities from jihadist elements,” Katz said.

He added that the areas would be cleared of local populations and all militant infrastructure, both above and below ground. According to Katz, this includes homes in frontline villages that, he said, had been used as “terror outposts” and would be destroyed.

Katz described Israel’s continued presence in these zones as one of the military’s key wartime achievements and said there was strong opposition within the government to any withdrawal from Lebanon, even under external pressure.

“This is among the IDF’s greatest achievements in the war,” he said. “Therefore, we oppose an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all existing pressures and those that may still come.”

He added that Netanyahu had raised the issue directly with U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior American officials. Katz said he had also conveyed the same position to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a meeting the previous day, noting that the military leadership likewise supported maintaining the so-called security zone.

“We will not compromise on Israel’s security interests or the protection of our citizens, and we will not withdraw from the security zones,” he said.

Katz also issued a warning to Iran, saying that any Iranian attack on Israel in response to developments in Lebanon would be met with a forceful response.

“If Iran attacks Israel because of events in Lebanon, we will strike it with full force,” he said.

“We are committed only to our citizens and to the security of the State of Israel,” Katz added.