TEL AVIV: Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in self-proclaimed "security zones" established in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, without any timeline for withdrawal. "The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely in order to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements," Israel Katz said. "We will not withdraw from the security zones," Katz said.
Katz also reiterated an earlier warning, saying Iran would be struck with "full force" if it attacked Israel over its operations in Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon signed a US-sponsored framework agreement under US sponsorship on Friday to pave the way for peace between the two countries and disarm Hezbollah.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters. They maintain that any troop withdrawal would happen only after Hezbollah has been disarmed across Lebanon. Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in early March with rocket fire aimed at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, nearly 4,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the war erupted. The Israeli military says it has lost 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor in Lebanon since fighting began in early March. Israel has also carried out repeated incursions and bombings in Syria since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al Assad, saying it seeks to establish a demilitarised zone in the country's south.
In Gaza, Israeli forces occupy nearly 70 per cent of the territory. Both Hamas and the Israeli military accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, which has been in effect since October last year.
Meanwhile, Iran and the United States began indirect talks with mediators in Doha on Wednesday in a push to advance negotiations and quell tensions following exchanges of fire between the two sides. Both had said they would send officials to discuss their memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the Middle East war, but Iran insisted direct negotiations will not take place.
A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed negotiations were underway, after earlier saying the foes would take part in "indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators". The discussions, being held at a lower level and focused on the details of the MoU, will "build on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit", the diplomat said.
The memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, culminated in a summit last month in Lucerne, Switzerland. It includes a 60-day ceasefire pausing the war that broke out with US-Israeli strikes in late February, as well as the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz and a timeframe for a final deal to permanently end the conflict and reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.
Tehran has denied an earlier claim by US President Donald Trump that there would be direct talks in Doha. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Iranian delegation would be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, but said the officials "have no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days". — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
