Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday Israel would keep troops in security zones across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, threatening Hezbollah with an extremely harsh response if it joined Iran in attacking Israel.
Katz said the mission concerning Iran was unfinished and accused Tehran of renewing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. Iran denies the accusation. Katz also said other Iranian actions endangered Israel.
AFP reported that Iran has been attacked twice since 2025 in major Israeli-U.S. bombing campaigns. AFP also reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost ground in Israel’s Oct. 27 election, after which rival Gadi Eisenkot was tasked with forming a government.
AFP said it was unclear whether U.S. President Donald Trump would support Netanyahu’s threatened new strikes on Iran. EconoTimes previously reported on Trump’s reluctance to act alone against Iran.
AFP reported that Hezbollah had fired on Israel in solidarity with Iran. Its account also described Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and occupation of part of Syria after Bashar al-Assad fell in 2024. Katz made his remarks at a ceremony for Israeli troops killed in a 1956 attack on Egypt.
