Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Wednesday that Israel will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and northern Samaria, and that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu have instructed the IDF to prepare for independent military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Katz said the US is leading a nuclear agreement with Iran, and that Israel expects the deal to uphold principles on nuclear arms, missiles, and terror proxies. He also expressed appreciation for the IDF and northern residents.
Defense Minister Israel Katz this afternoon escalated Israel's public posture on Iran, instructing the IDF to prepare for independent military action to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He made the announcement in a policy statement at 17:24, framing the instruction as a joint directive with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The statement builds on Katz's earlier remarks at 17:24 — the initial report that Israel would not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon — which he expanded in a subsequent version to include Syria, Gaza, and northern Samaria as well.
According to The Zioneer's reporting from earlier today, Katz first signaled the non-withdrawal policy regarding Lebanon only, then broadened it to cover additional fronts in a second statement published at the same timestamp. The new Iran-related instruction marks a significant hardening of the government's stated red lines, adding a nuclear dimension to the security-zone doctrine.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned on June 9 that Israel may have to face Iran alone without full US backing, and on June 5 characterized Iran as "playing with fire." The context provided by The Zioneer also shows that the US is leading nuclear talks with Iran, with a memorandum of understanding reportedly nearing signature.
Katz's instruction to prepare for independent action remains a stated directive — no operation has been announced or confirmed. It is not yet clear whether the IDF's preparations will be coordinated with or disclosed to the United States.
5 developments
- StrongIsraeli official to i24NEWS: Israel not required to withdraw under understandings with Iran
- DevelopingIsrael's Katz: Campaign against Iran far from over; IDF ready to strike Iran with great force
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
Source and signal
- Internal intake