Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated Sunday evening that there is no restriction on Israeli forces acting to eliminate threats in Lebanon. Military correspondent Noam Amir (Channel 14) added that the IDF is not conducting initiated operations but stressed there is no ceasefire — calling it an injustice to describe the fighting as such.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Sunday evening that there is no restriction on IDF operations to eliminate threats in Lebanon, reinforcing a position The Zioneer reported earlier today (Sun 19:51 Jerusalem). Military correspondent Noam Amir (Channel 14) added that the IDF is not conducting initiated operations, but emphasized there is no ceasefire — describing any characterization of the situation as a truce as an injustice to the fighting on the ground. This latest statement follows a sequence of clarifications from Katz and the IDF throughout the day.
Earlier Sunday (13:39 Jerusalem), The Zioneer reported that Katz first denied reports of tightened operational restrictions on the IDF in southern Lebanon, citing U.S. pressure tied to the emerging Iran deal. In a subsequent statement at the same timestamp, Katz clarified that Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon. By 19:51 Jerusalem, Katz reaffirmed the no-restriction policy with additional detail, and Amir's clarification — that no initiated operations are currently occurring — was added as the latest development.
These remarks come amid ongoing exchanges across the Lebanon border. The Zioneer previously reported (Sat Jun 20, 07:52 Jerusalem) that the IDF said it was not initiating strikes in Lebanon, only responding to existential threats. Later that evening (Sat Jun 20, 21:59 Jerusalem), Amir described the intensified fire as a test of Israel's resolve. Throughout this period, senior security sources have consistently maintained (Sat Jun 20, 08:08 and 08:34 Jerusalem) that the situation is war, not a ceasefire, and that diplomatic discussions about a framework agreement have been rejected by Israel.
What remains open: the operational distinction between "initiated operations" and action against "threats" is not defined in the statements. No specific IDF operations or targets were named by either official.
6 developments
- DevelopingIDF Chief: Army ready to immediately resume fighting Iran
- DevelopingIDF accelerating operations in Lebanon as agreement draws near, says Noam Amir
- StrongIDF says it is not initiating strikes in Lebanon, only responding to existential threats
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
Source and signal
- Internal intake