IDF will stay in parts of Lebanon and Syria indefinitely says Netanyahu

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will remain stationed in key areas of Lebanon and Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu said Sunday. He stated that Israel demands full demilitarization of southern Syria and refuses to tolerate any threat to the Druze community in the region.

Bibi spoke at a graduate ceremony of IDF combat officer's course and said,  “In Syria, IDF forces will remain in the Mount Hermon area and the buffer zone for an indefinite period to protect our communities and counter any threats. We will not allow forces from HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Syria’s new ruler Abu Mohammad al-Julani) or the New Syrian Army to enter areas south of Damascus.”

He said regarding Lebanon, that the IDF would maintain control over strategic areas on the northern border inside of Lebanon territory until the Lebanese government and military totally uphold their commitments under the ceasefire agreement.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “[O]ur eyes are on the entire region today, especially Syria. We are committed to ensuring that October 7 never happens again. As the prime minister said, there is a new reality in southern Syria. The IDF will not allow hostile forces to establish a presence in the security zone from here to Damascus, and we will act against any threat.”

Katz also highlighted Israel’s commitment to strengthening ties with friendly populations in the region, particularly the Druze, whom he called “brothers in arms.” He reassured that Israel is dedicated to ensuring their safety and preserving their historical connections, thus reinforcing Netanyahu's statement.

Israeli troops entered the Syrian buffer zone immediately after the fall of Bashar "The Chin" Assad's regime came to a crashing end. The troops were concerned about armed groups moving into the area and put soldiers in key positions to protect Israeli communities in the Golan Heights, while stressing that Israel will not interfere with Syrian affairs, but will operate as needed to secure the buffer zone to safeguard Israel.

After the Syrian rebels took control of the Golan and removed Assad from power, the IDF warned them not to cross the Alpha Line, marking the start of the demilitarized zone. The Northern Command raised its alert level and activated emergency defense plans in anticipation of a potential invasion from the east.

Now with almost six months after the start of what has become the Third Lebanon War, Israel is reestablishing a partial presence inside Lebanese territory. This is the first time in 25 years it has done so and five outposts will be established several hundred meters beyond the border fence. Each outpost will be manned by hundreds of IDF soldiers and they will maintain this presence until a new political directive is issued.

A similar forward defense strategy is being implemented along the Gaza border, with ongoing coordination between the Southern and Northern Commands to apply lessons from recent operations.

Netanyahu, love him or hate him, means it when he implies that never again means never again.

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