Israeli PM vows Israeli occupation troops to remain on border between Jordan and West Bank under any future peace deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday that Israeli occupation troops would remain on the border between Jordan and the West Bank under any future peace deal with the Palestinians.

Speaking to reporters as he toured military facilities along the Jordan river, Netanyahu claimed only Israeli troops would be able stop fighters and rockets from infiltrating into the West Bank. "Our security border is here on the Jordan and our defense line begins here. If that line is breached they will be able to infiltrate terrorists, rockets and missiles all the way to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva and the whole state," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said he fears that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Jordan valley would see a repeat of the situation where Israel pulled out from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, only to come under rocket attack from these areas.

"So in any future situation and in any future agreement, the IDF (army) will have to be deployed along the Jordan. That is the insurance policy of the state of Israel," he claimed.

Netanyahu said strong security measures were vital to ensure what he called a peace agreement, particularly given the turmoil and uncertainty in the region, which he termed "a political and security earthquake."

"In this situation we have to ensure, even more than usual, that we have solid security foundations to defend the state of Israel."