Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollah to halt its violations of the ceasefire deal or risk its continued existence.
“I would like to send a clear message to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government,” the minister said in remarks published by his office following a visit to Israel Defense Forces troops serving in Southern Lebanon.
“Israel will not tolerate drone attacks from Lebanon,” Katz declared. “Either there will be no drones, or there will be no Hezbollah.
“I suggest that the successor of [slain Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah’s successor not make a mistake about Israel’s determination, lest he pay a very heavy price,” he warned.
According to Katz, Jerusalem will not allow a return to the reality of before the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist massacre. “We will foil threats and respond with full force,” the defense minister said.
On Jan. 30, Hezbollah dispatched a surveillance drone into Israel, marking the first time since the ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27 that the terrorist group sent an unmanned aerial vehicle toward the airspace of the Jewish state.
“The Hezbollah reconnaissance drone that made its way into Israeli territory yesterday and was intercepted by the [Israeli] Air Force constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the military said in a statement the following day.
IAF fighter jets attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, including an underground weapons site, in response, the IDF said.
On Jan. 27, Katz warned the Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist groups in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, respectively, not to test Israel’s resolve.
“Anyone who violates the rules or threatens IDF forces will bear the full price. We will not allow a return to the reality of Oct. 7,” the defense minister said.
Also last month, Katz warned that the ceasefire deal with Beirut would be void if Hezbollah refused to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
On Dec. 20, the defense minister said the Israeli military would “crush Hezbollah’s head” if the Iran-backed terrorist group violated the ceasefire agreement.
