Katz Says Israel Would Keep Territory Taken If Attacked From Syria

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israel would retain territory it took in response to any future attack from Syria on Israeli forces or Israeli territory. His warning followed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's address to the UN General Assembly, where al-Sharaa called for an Israeli withdrawal from areas held in Syria. Katz said Israel would remain on Mount Hermon and in the security zone while threats from jihadist organizations persisted. He rejected al-Sharaa's claim to the Golan Heights and asserted Israeli sovereignty there. The minister described a conditional response, not a reported new attack or territorial move.