Reference News Network reported on April 16 that according to a report by the Associated Press on April 16, Israeli Defense Minister Gantz said on the 16th that the Israeli army would remain in the so-called security zones of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria indefinitely. This statement may further complicate negotiations with Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The Israeli army occupied more than half of the Gaza Strip in a new operation to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Israel ended the ceasefire agreement last month. After reaching a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel refused to withdraw from some areas of Lebanon. After the Syrian opposition overthrew the Bashar al-Assad government in December last year, Israel occupied a buffer zone in southern Syria.
The report said that Gantz stated in a statement that "unlike the past, (Israeli forces) have not withdrawn from the cleared and occupied areas," and the army "will remain in the security zones, serving as a buffer between enemies and (Israeli) communities under any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria."
The report pointed out that Palestinians and their two neighboring countries (Lebanon and Syria) consider the Israeli presence as illegal military occupation under international law. Hamas said that if Israel does not completely withdraw from Gaza and achieve a permanent ceasefire, it will not release the remaining dozens of hostages.
It was reported that Israel claimed that it must maintain control over these territories to prevent the recurrence of the attack incident on October 7, 2023, launched by Hamas.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493915803776500239/
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