Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel will not withdraw from areas it currently holds in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip. Katz states that Israeli forces are expected to remain there “indefinitely,” according to multiple reports. The remarks also come amid diplomatic efforts to end the wider conflict in the region. France 24 notes that Katz’s statement could complicate a memorandum of understanding announced the day before between the United States and Iran that aims to move toward ending the war. The Hindu further reports that Iran has linked an interim deal over the war to stopping Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, framing Katz’s comments within ongoing negotiations. Across the outlets, there is agreement that Katz is asserting Israel’s long-term retention of the territories it occupies in these three locations and that his position is stated as a direct challenge to the direction of recent de-escalation or interim understandings discussed by other parties. The reports do not provide new details on timelines for withdrawals or specific terms of any agreement.