Israel to stay ‘indefinitely’ in newly-occupied lands in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza: Minister

Israel’s minister of military affairs says the regime plans to stay “indefinitely” in newly occupied parts of south Lebanon, Syria and the besieged Gaza Strip.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are pursuing a clear policy under which the Israeli military will remain in the (so-called) security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an unlimited period of time," Israel Katz said in a statement on Monday.

Katz further said that Netanyahu had informed US President Donald Trump about this plan.

The extremist minister described seizure and occupation of lands as the Israeli military’s "greatest achievements."

"Therefore, we oppose a military withdrawal from Lebanon, despite all the existing pressures and those that will come,” he said.

“The area will be cleared of local residents, and all infrastructure, both above and below ground-- including the houses in the frontline villages -- will be destroyed.”

Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of areas in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, amounting to 1,000 square kilometers of territory – an area that is slightly smaller than New York City.

The remarks by hawkish Israeli minister come shortly after the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran to end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Iran has tied the interim deal to halting Israel’s attacks on all regional Muslim nations.

Tehran has warned that the consequences of Israeli provocations for regional peace and security will fall squarely on the United States and the Zionist regime.

The April 8 ceasefire halted direct US‑Israeli military attacks on Iran after a 40‑day war of aggression that began on February 28.

However, Israel has continued to strike Lebanese border areas and has now again struck Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, a Shia-populated area.

Iran Foreign Ministry warns US of ‘dangerous consequences’ of Israeli ‘terrorist’ strike on Beirut

Tehran warned that the consequences of Israeli provocations for regional peace and security will fall squarely on the United States and the Zionist regime.

Iran has repeatedly stated that any attack on Lebanon is a violation of the truce and will be met with a response.

Iranian armed forces launched a missile barrage at Israeli-occupied territories on June 7, responding to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

In a recent statement, Iran’s central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk