Katz: Threat of Hezbollah Invasion Persists; Massive Unknown Tunnel Destroyed

Defense Minister Israel Katz provided a sobering assessment of the northern front on Monday, emphasizing that despite IDF operations, Hezbollah maintains a significant presence near the Israeli border. According to Katz, roughly 1,200 Hezbollah militants remain active in the sector between the border fence and the Litani River, preserving the group's capability to attempt a ground infiltration into Israeli territory.

Discovery of Strategic Infrastructure

Katz revealed that the IDF recently uncovered a massive underground facility that had eluded prior intelligence. The tunnel, described as being of unprecedented scale, required hundreds of tons of explosives for its demolition. This discovery underscores the complexity of the subterranean threat in southern Lebanon, even as the IDF continues its systematic effort to dismantle terror infrastructure in border villages.

Strategic Friction and Security Zones

In his briefing, the Defense Minister addressed the diplomatic and strategic landscape, noting that he has informed the commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that Israel will not withdraw from its established security zones in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. Katz also touched upon friction with the Trump administration, suggesting that the U.S. approach of linking the Iranian nuclear issue to a Lebanon deal prevented a more decisive blow against Hezbollah across the entirety of Lebanon.

The Iranian Front

Regarding the primary regional adversary, Katz assessed that Iran has not yet made a final decision on whether to fully resume its nuclear program. However, he predicted that direct hostilities with Tehran could resume under two scenarios: if President Trump concludes that negotiations have been exhausted, or in response to a direct Iranian attack on Israel. Katz characterized such a potential escalation as the beginning of a "third Iran war."