Defense Minister Israel Katz said in an interview on Channel 14 that the IDF has expanded the 'yellow line' security zone to 60-70% of the contact line, destroyed 24 Lebanese villages that served as Hezbollah infrastructure, and discovered a tunnel from Shuja'iyya in Gaza to Kibbutz Nahal Oz. He reiterated that Israel will never withdraw from Gaza, and warned Iran that an attack on Israel would face a 'crushing blow.' Katz also stated that the IDF is 80-90% prepared against Iran and its proxies.
Defense Minister Israel Katz provided a detailed update on Israel's security posture in an interview on Channel 14 Sunday evening, expanding on his earlier warning to Iran. Katz said the IDF has expanded the 'yellow line' buffer zone along the contact line in southern Lebanon to 60-70% of its length, and has destroyed 24 Lebanese villages that served as Hezbollah infrastructure. He also revealed the discovery of a tunnel from the Gaza neighborhood of Shuja'iyya to Kibbutz Nahal Oz, and said that regarding a tunnel under the Ali al-Tahar ridge in southern Lebanon, the IDF will act at the appropriate time.
Katz reiterated that Israel will never withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and that the IDF must remain in security zones in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon to separate jihadists from civilians. He stated that the IDF is 80-90% prepared against Iran and its proxies, and warned that if Iran attacks, it will absorb a 'crushing blow.'
The statement follows a shorter warning by Katz earlier this evening, as reported by The Zioneer (22:29). As The Zioneer has reported in recent weeks, Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu have consistently maintained that Israel will maintain an indefinite military presence in the buffer zones, a policy that has drawn international criticism but enjoys broad support within the Israeli security establishment.
- DevelopingKatz, IDF chief of staff confirm 83% of Gaza yellow-line tunnels destroyed
- DevelopingKatz warns threat of Hezbollah invasion from Lebanon persists, reveals massive unknown tunnel
- DevelopingKatz: IDF thwarting Hezbollah tunnels, destroying terror infrastructure near Lebanon border fence
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
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