Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that there is no restriction on IDF troops operating in Lebanon to remove threats, and that Israel will not withdraw from the security zone. His statement — a day after a fragile ceasefire was announced — said the IDF responded with heavy force to an attack on its forces, thwarting "a very large number" of Hezbollah operatives and striking numerous terror infrastructures.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday issued a forceful statement pushing back against any assumption that the ceasefire announced yesterday would limit the IDF's freedom of action in southern Lebanon. Katz said there is no restriction on Israeli troops operating to remove threats, and reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from the security zone along the Yellow Line.
The statement came after an attack on IDF forces in the sector, to which the military responded with heavy strikes. Katz said the IDF thwarted "a very large number" of Hezbollah operatives and struck many terror infrastructures. He described the preservation of soldiers' and civilians' lives as the highest priority.
As The Zioneer reported at 13:42 today, Katz earlier said all IDF gains in the Lebanon campaign are maintained and forces operate from the Yellow Line inward. The defense minister's latest remarks align with Prime Minister Netanyahu's position, conveyed to President Trump, that Israel will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza as long as security needs require.
3 developments
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: All IDF gains in the Lebanon campaign preserved; forces operate from the Yellow Line inward
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
- DevelopingKatz: IDF thwarting Hezbollah tunnels, destroying terror infrastructure near Lebanon border fence
Source and signal
- Internal intake