The Israel Air Force struck Syrian regime positions earlier this week after the new government in Damascus attempted to deploy forces in demilitarized zones near Israel’s border, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday.
“Two days ago, the new regime attempted to staff positions and outposts, and the air force struck and neutralized them,” Katz said at a regional council leaders conference. “We will not allow the demilitarization agreement to be violated, nor will we allow any emerging threats.”
Katz added that Israel’s presence in strategic locations in Syria would continue indefinitely to prevent Iranian influence and terrorist threats.
“Southern Syria must be a demilitarized zone. We have sent messages, and the IDF is preparing,” he said.
According to Katz, the strike was part of a broader policy to counter Iran-backed militias and prevent the Syrian regime from reestablishing military infrastructure near the Golan Heights.
The defense minister emphasized that Israel would take decisive military action whenever necessary to maintain security.
“We made a decision in real-time to prevent Iran from rescuing the Syrian regime and bringing in militias. We conveyed messages through all necessary channels that if they come, we will strike. We deployed air force jets, and the Iranian aircraft turned back,” Katz continued.
Northern Israel’s security
Regarding the northern front, Katz said that Israel would not withdraw from the buffer zone in Lebanon based on a timeline but rather on security needs.
“We will remain in the buffer zone in Lebanon indefinitely – this depends on the situation, not on time. We have received a green light from the United States.”
Katz also said that there was no trust in the new leadership in Syria led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying that despite Shaara’s efforts to present himself as a legitimate political leader, Israel remains skeptical.
“Sharaa came to power in Syria, swapped his robes for suits, and spoke eloquently. We do not trust him – we only trust the IDF,” Katz said.
Beyond the Syrian issue, Katz pointed to increased IDF operations in Judea and Samaria to dismantle terror networks backed by Iran.
“For over two years, Iran has been supplying weapons, funding, and guidance to establish battalions and create an eastern front against Israeli settlements and border communities,” he said.
Katz added that Israeli forces would maintain a presence in Palestinian refugee camps, particularly in Jenin and Tulkarm, to contend with terrorist strongholds.
“Jenin’s refugee camp is now empty of residents, and the IDF is inside.”
In his statements, Katz said his goal was to reinforce Israel’s broader security policy, which includes maintaining operational control in Syria, preventing Hamas from regaining control in Gaza, and countering Iran’s influence across the region.
“The soldiers and commanders say they are finally allowed to do what is necessary, and by staying put, they no longer have to enter and exit these areas repeatedly,” he said.
Hamas responds
Hamas responded to Katz's statements, saying, "The allegations and claims of the occupation's Minister of War Katz that Hamas planned to attack soldiers and settlements during the ceasefire are misleading and baseless statements and come in the context of the occupation's attempts to evade its obligations under the ceasefire."
"His statements about keeping the border area between Gaza and Egypt a buffer zone are a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and an attempt to fabricate pretexts to disrupt and thwart it."
"While we affirm our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, with all its aspects and provisions, and our readiness to enter into negotiations related to the second phase of the agreement, we stress the importance of the mediator brothers, the international community, and all relevant parties taking immediate and serious action to compel the occupation to abide by the requirements and provisions of the agreement, and to work to prevent Netanyahu and his criminal government from disrupting and thwarting it."