Israeli Defense Minister Katz Vows No Retreat from Southern Lebanon, Targets Hezbollah Infrastructure

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has asserted that Israeli forces will not retreat from southern Lebanon, including the Qal’at ash-Shaqif area. Katz claimed that Lebanese citizens would not be allowed to return to the south and that the destruction of infrastructure would continue. He further stated that the recent developments in Lebanon were a consequence of Israeli actions, and a weapon-free zone would be established south of the Litani River, with the Israeli army remaining in a security zone up to the “yellow line.”.

Katz also claimed that Israel possesses the freedom of action, with American support, to attack Beirut in response to any attacks on northern towns or Israel, vowing to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure. He suggested that these developments would lead to a peace agreement.

Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, described a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon as a grave mistake. He opined that the ceasefire was a result of delusional thinking and poor advice to the Prime Minister, leading to incorrect decisions. Ben-Gvir argued that Hezbollah would not withdraw from south of the Litani River and would grow stronger, while Israel would accept its presence instead of decisively ending the conflict.

The Minister of National Security called for a cabinet meeting to vote on the ceasefire decision, reiterating his view that the agreement was a major error. Avigdor Lieberman, former Israeli Defense Minister, also claimed that a ceasefire with Lebanon would merely provide additional time for Hezbollah to regroup and rebuild its strength. He characterized the situation not as a ceasefire, but as a return to the conditions that led to the October 7th events, and insisted that the conflict with Hezbollah must be decisively resolved.