Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that the IDF is thwarting Hezbollah tunnels and destroying terror infrastructure in villages near the border fence in southern Lebanon, calling the campaign systematic. The remarks follow Katz's recent statements that Israel will maintain its security zone presence indefinitely.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Tuesday afternoon that the IDF is systematically thwarting Hezbollah tunnel operations and destroying terror infrastructure in every village near the border fence in southern Lebanon. The statement was released through his office and reported by i24NEWS at 12:34 Jerusalem time.
The remarks reinforce Katz's broader posture on the northern front. As The Zioneer reported on Monday (article: 'Katz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure'), the defense minister has publicly rejected any withdrawal from the security zones, a position conveyed directly to the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Hegseth. Katz also warned Iran of a 'full-force' response in those earlier briefings.
On Monday morning, Katz additionally confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had told President Trump Israel would not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza despite US-Iran diplomatic moves (The Zioneer, June 15, 09:57). Minister Ze'ev Elkin separately described the IDF's destruction of Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon as systematic on June 8.
No specific tunnel discoveries or destruction operations were detailed in Tuesday's statement. The defense minister did not provide new time frames or casualty figures, and the claim remains a single-source ministerial statement, classified as Developing pending operational confirmation.
- DevelopingMinister Ze'ev Elkin: IDF systematically destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongIsrael Katz: IDF cleared a Christian neighborhood in Tyre, struck Hezbollah fighters sheltering there
- DevelopingIDF chief says ground maneuvers deepening Hezbollah erosion as talks continue
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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