Israel vows indefinite military presence in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza despite US-Iran peace agreement

Hours after the United States and Iran announced an agreement to end the West Asia conflict, including hostilities involving Lebanon, Israel signalled it would maintain its military presence in southern Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying troops would remain deployed there indefinitely.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are pursuing a clear policy under which the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an unlimited period of time, in order to protect the border and Israeli communities from there against jihadist elements," Israel Katz said in a statement.

Katz also warned Iran that if the Islamic republic attacked Israel in response to its campaign in Lebanon, Israel would retaliate with "full force".

Israel maintains stance on southern Lebanon

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) source told The Jerusalem Post that attacks inside Lebanon would not take place if Hezbollah complies with the ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on either the US-Iran agreement or its implications for Lebanon.

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Lebanon included in agreement, says Sharif

The issue of Lebanon was referenced in an announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said the country was covered under the agreement.

“Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Sharif stated.

Israeli strikes preceded finalisation of deal

Just hours before the agreement was finalised on Sunday, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to strike Beirut's Dahiyeh district following Hezbollah fire towards Israeli territory.

"Israel will not tolerate fire directed at its territory," the two said in a joint statement.

According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, the IDF informed Centcom shortly before carrying out the operation.

Following the strikes, US President Donald Trump held a conversation with Netanyahu and later criticised the attacks in a social media post.

"This morning's attacks should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump added that while Israel has the right to "defend itself against threats," the threat it was defending itself against was "very small and meaningless."