Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Monday that Israel will not withdraw from territories seized in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip, a declaration that comes as a separate report reveals the occupied West Bank's economy is being systematically dismantled, raising alarm about the humanitarian and economic toll on Palestinian communities.
Katz said Israel plans to stay "indefinitely" in land it holds across the three territories. Over the past 2 1/2 years, Israel has taken control of areas in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria amounting to 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of territory. The defense minister also threatened that if Iran attacks Israel over its strikes in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with "great force."
Diplomatic Tensions and Nuclear Concerns
David Mencer, a spokesman in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, said Israel and the U.S. remain fully aligned on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He added that Israel will not tolerate attacks from Hezbollah on its territory and will continue to act against those who seek to harm its citizens.
The report also said Israel's bombing of Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday nearly derailed negotiations, and a previous attack led Iran to fire on Israel and Israel to fire back, highlighting the fragility of diplomatic efforts in the region.
Displaced Residents Face Devastation
In Lebanon, the Lebanese army called on residents not to rush to return to border villages, saying they should follow military instructions because of the danger of "Israeli violations and aggression." Many Lebanese who had fled following Israeli evacuation orders and intense fighting were heading south to check on their homes.
Celine Fayad, driving south, said she would test how far she could go. Her village, Aitaroun, is along the border with Israel. It was among the first to be occupied and lies in ruins.
Ali Haidar was among the first to return to Nabatiyeh, the southern city at the heart of the latest Israeli military operations, where many central buildings have been reduced to dust. He said, "This used to be our home, our childhood home where we have all of our memories. This is where we grew up. Now it's gone. We will return to rubble and sand. It's better than being displaced."
Hezbollah Response and Regional Dynamics
In its first public statement after the deal's announcement, Hezbollah credited Iran with a "major achievement" in reaching the agreement, which it said could lead to "the full liberation of our land, the return of our prisoners to their homeland and families," and reconstruction of war-devastated areas. Along with praising the deal, the militant group said it was committed to resisting Israel "until full withdrawal is achieved."
West Bank Economic Crisis
The separate West Bank report said the economy in the occupied territory is being dismantled and facing severe challenges, underscoring the compounding pressures on Palestinian livelihoods as territorial disputes continue without resolution.
Why This Matters:
The announcement of indefinite occupation in seized territories and the simultaneous collapse of the West Bank economy reveal the mounting human costs of prolonged conflict without diplomatic resolution. Families like Ali Haidar's, returning to destroyed homes and lost livelihoods, bear the immediate burden of military operations that have displaced thousands and devastated entire communities. The systematic dismantling of the West Bank economy threatens the basic economic security of Palestinian populations already living under occupation. As territorial expansion continues and diplomatic frameworks remain fragile, the prospects for sustainable peace recede while civilian populations face compounding hardship. The international community's ability to enforce accountability and protect civilian rights in occupied territories will determine whether these trends can be reversed or whether further generations will inherit conflict and economic deprivation.