Israel’s Defense Minister announced on Wednesday that Israeli troops will indefinitely remain in designated security areas within Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. These statements may further complicate discussions with Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israeli forces have taken control of more than half of Gaza in a renewed campaign aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages after Israel ended the ceasefire last month. Israel has also refused to withdraw from certain areas in Lebanon following a ceasefire with Hezbollah last year and has seized a security zone in southern Syria after rebels ousted former President Bashar Assad in December.
Unlike in the past, the Israeli army will not evacuate areas that have been cleared and secured, according to the Defense Minister. Israeli forces will remain in these security zones as a buffer between adversaries and Israeli communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza, similar to their presence in Lebanon and Syria. Palestinians and neighboring countries view the Israeli troop presence as a military occupation violating international law. Hamas has stated it will not release dozens of hostages without a complete Israeli withdrawal from the besieged enclave and a lasting ceasefire.
Israel insists on maintaining control of these territories to prevent a recurrence of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack when thousands of insurgents infiltrated southern Israel from Gaza, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. The Israeli offensive has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which claims more than half of the deceased are women and children. Israel reports killing about 20,000 insurgents but has not provided evidence. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have rendered large areas of the territory uninhabitable, displacing around 90% of Gaza’s nearly two million residents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and rescue the 59 hostages still in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. Netanyahu has indicated that following this, Israel will implement US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle much of Gaza’s population in other countries through what he described as “voluntary emigration.” Palestinians and Arab nations have rejected Trump’s proposal, arguing it violates international law. Residents of Gaza express a desire to remain in their homeland, fearing a repeat of the mass expulsions that occurred during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.
The Trump administration, credited with negotiating the ceasefire established in January, has since fully endorsed Israel’s decision to end it and halt all aid entry into the enclave. Trump’s envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has been working to broker a new ceasefire agreement more favorable to Israel, but these efforts have seen limited progress. Netanyahu’s government, the most nationalist and religious in Israel’s history, has coalition partners advocating for the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, dismantling its settlements, but retained control over most of the land border, coastline, and airspace. It joined Egypt in imposing a blockade on the territory after Hamas took power in 2007. During the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank—territories Palestinians seek for a future state. It also seized the Golan Heights from Syria, later annexing the area in a move recognized solely by the United States.
The Evolving Landscape
The ongoing presence of Israeli troops in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria has significant implications for regional stability and international relations. The indefinite deployment of forces in these areas suggests a sustained military presence that could escalate tensions between Israel and its neighbors. This development complicates peace efforts and poses challenges to achieving a lasting resolution to the hostilities.
For residents of the affected regions, the enduring military occupation impacts daily life, with potential consequences for security, economic stability, and humanitarian conditions. The displacement of large populations and the destruction of infrastructure heighten the urgency for international attention and aid to address the humanitarian crisis. The refusal to release hostages without concessions underscores the complexity of negotiations and the potential for prolonged conflict.
