Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Thursday that Israel is prepared for a third campaign in Iran and will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, according to Israeli media. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir added that the campaign is not over, with hundreds of Air Force planes on standby and new large operations planned.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday stated that Israel is prepared for a third military campaign in Iran and will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, according to Israeli media reports from the IAF Course 192 graduation ceremony. The statement marks the latest development in a series of remarks from Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the event, which took place earlier today at 18:14 Jerusalem time.
The thread of reporting from the ceremony shows a cascade of statements. Katz initially said the IDF is 'alert and prepared' for a third 'blue-and-white' (independent) strike on Iran, and added that if necessary, Israel would return with greater force. He later claimed that Operation Roaring Lion, launched about four months ago, eliminated 'Khamenei the father' and seriously wounded 'Khamenei the son'. Netanyahu separately warned that the war is not over and that new challenges are emerging. The reports, first carried by N12 reporter Nitzan Shapira, were quickly confirmed by multiple Israeli news outlets, with Katz explicitly labeling a potential future action as a third 'White-Blue' operation.
The statements come amid ongoing regional tensions, though no specific timeline was given for any new operations. Katz's claim about the elimination of the elder Khamenei remains unverified by independent sources. The commitment not to withdraw from southern Lebanon introduces a new element not present in the sequence of statements from the ceremony, and its operational significance remains unclear.
10 developments
- StrongKatz warns of renewed escalation with Iran 'within 2 days', says IDF ready to strike
- DevelopingIsrael's Defense Minister warns IDF ready to strike Iran alone if necessary
- StrongKatz warns Iran: Any attack on Israel over Lebanon will draw 'full-force' response
- DevelopingNetanyahu, IDF chief detail tense Trump call and independent Iran strike readiness in cabinet
Source and signal
- Internal intake