Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz asserted that the Israeli army will not cease its military operations in southern Lebanon, claiming that’ Israel’ has received US approval to target Beirut if Hezbollah launches rockets toward Israeli settlements in the north.
Katz stated that the “Declaration of Principles” announced yesterday between the Israeli and Lebanese governments in Washington includes “the objective of disarming Hezbollah throughout Lebanon, in addition to removing Hezbollah elements from the area south of the Litani River and establishing a demilitarized zone.”
Katz claimed that occupation forces will continue their military operations at this stage, indicating that Israeli forces will remain in the “security zone up to the Yellow Line, including the Shaqif area, and will prevent the return of residents,” while continuing to target what he termed “terrorist infrastructure.” He added that this “reflects the reality we have created in Lebanon thus far.”
He further stated that Lebanon and Israel agreed during the Washington negotiations to “grant Israel freedom of action, with US support, to attack Beirut in response to any fire directed at Israeli towns and territory.”
Katz also confirmed that the occupation forces “will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, including Beaufort Castle,” adding that “the Lebanese will not return to the south, and we will continue our operations to destroy infrastructure.”
Ben-Gvir calls ceasefire a ‘grave mistake’
For his part, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attacked the ceasefire understandings with Lebanon, deeming them a “grave mistake” and “mere illusions of advisors pushing the prime minister to make wrong decisions.”
Ben-Gvir said he was briefed on these intentions during a closed meeting in the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and demanded a cabinet meeting and a vote on the ceasefire resolution, considering the move a “serious error.”
Ben-Gvir argued that Netanyahu should reject American pressure, saying that he should have informed US President Donald Trump that “Israel is a sovereign and independent state, and it cannot accept the strengthening of a terrorist organization and its presence on its borders.”
He added: “In reality, Hezbollah will only grow stronger, and instead of defeating it, ‘Israel’ is accepting its existence. Hezbollah will not withdraw from the area south of the Litani River, and the Lebanese army has no means to force it to do so.”
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)