Israeli defense minister says troops will remain in Gaza, Lebanon

Israels defense minister said on Wednesday that troops will remain in socalled security zones in the Gaza Strip Lebanon and Syria indefinitely remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage releaseMeanwhile Israeli strikes across Gaza killed another 22 people according to local health officials including a girl who was not yet a year old The girls mother who was wounded embraced her daughter still wearing a bloodied blue dress before she was taken for burialIsraeli forces have taken over more than half of Gaza in a renewed campaign to pressure Hamas militants to release hostages after Israel ended their ceasefire last month Israel has also refused to withdraw from some areas in Lebanon following a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group last year and it seized a buffer zone in southern Syria after rebels overthrew Syrian President Bashar Assad in DecemberUnlike in the past the Israeli military is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement The military will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and Israeli communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza as in Lebanon and SyriaThe Palestinians and both neighboring countries view the presence of Israeli troops as military occupation in violation of international law Lebanese president Joseph Aoun said that Israels continued presence in some areas in Lebanon was hindering the Lebanese armys full deployment as required by the ceasefire negotiated with IsraelTwo Israeli drones strikes on Wednesday in southern Lebanon killed two people the health ministry said The UN said Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 70 civilians since the ceasefire took effect in November Hamas has said it will not release dozens of remaining hostages without a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefireThey promised that the hostages come first In practice Israel is choosing to seize territory before the hostages the main organization representing families of the hostages said in a statement There is one solution that is desirable and feasible and that is the release of all the hostages at once as part of an agreement even at the cost of ending the warIsrael says it must maintain control of what it refers to as security zones to prevent a repeat of Hamas Oct 7 2023 attack in which thousands of militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza killing some 1200 people mostly civilians and abducting 251Israels offensive has killed over 51000 Palestinians according to Gazas Health Ministry which does not say how many were civilians or combatants but says women and children make up more than half of the dead Israel says it has killed some 20000 militants without providing evidenceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoeveratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params