Israel is combining military strikes and diplomatic talks to force Hezbollah’s disarmament and secure its northern border as a fragile ceasefire holds.
JERUSALEM: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared that disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and removing its threat to northern Israel remains the central goal of its campaign in Lebanon.
Katz stated this objective would be pursued through a combination of sustained military pressure and ongoing diplomatic measures during a ceremony for Israel’s national day of remembrance.
“We will act in the same way with regard to high-trajectory fire (towards Israel) from north of the Litani and from throughout Lebanon,” he added, referencing the river that marks the boundary below which Israel demands Hezbollah withdraw.
Despite a truce taking effect on Friday, Israeli troops remain active in southern Lebanon, with Katz vowing on Sunday that forces would use “full force” if threatened by the militant group.
Israel launched widespread airstrikes and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon after Hezbollah entered the wider Middle East conflict in support of Iran on March 2.
The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson warned residents of southern Lebanon on Monday not to return to homes they had evacuated, stating that any Hezbollah activity in the area constitutes a violation of the ceasefire.
Israel and Lebanon continue negotiations under United States mediation to extend the current pause in hostilities.
These talks occur against the backdrop of a separate two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, which is set to expire overnight Tuesday without a new agreement yet in place.
